Hurricanes and Biologics

Hurricane Dorian impacted a lot of people. With hurricanes come power outages. The more intense the hurricane, the more damage and widespread the power outages can be. This got me thinking about the biologics that people take to keep their psoriasis under control. Hurricanes and power outages are not something that is written about in the little handy flyer put in every biologic box. I should know, I make sure to read everything on that little flyer sent with my biologic.

With all the disasters that are happening - wouldn't you agree that this information should be printed? As expensive as these biologics are, shouldn't every base be covered? How are we supposed to know what to do with our biologics when faced with a natural disaster?

What would I do if faced with a natural disaster?

I have questions without answers. Even though I wasn't personally affected by Hurricane Dorian, it still made me wonder what I would need to do if I was ever faced with this type of dilemma or any other natural disaster. Where I live tornadoes are something we have to deal with. Just recently we had a tornado hit about a mile from our house. It took days for those people who were affected to get electricity back all because of downed power lines. I know this because my mother-in-law was affected by it. What if that had been me? What is the protocol for my biologic when the electricity is out? Can it stay out of the refrigerator for an extended period of time? I know its safe for the thirty minutes that I wait to let it get to room temperature before injecting, but how long before it's unsafe?

Reading the medication's informational pamphlet

I realize that most of us do not take the time to read those pamphlets that come with our medication until there is a question that we need an answer for. Having realized I didn't know what to do if my electricity was out for an extended time, it was time to read through my pamphlet. There was no answer. It had the standard directions on how to take the medicine. It had the results of clinical trial studies. It had how to store the medicine. Oh, let's not leave out how to dispose of the medicine. You would think with all this information which is on the front and back of the flyer they would be able to add just one more thing: what you should do if you have to go days or even weeks not having electricity.

Storing biologics at certain temperatures

I thought I would take it upon myself to research and see if there is any information about this topic online. It did not surprise me that with each biologic the time frame is different. For example, Simponi can only stay out of the refrigerator for one day at temperatures above 25 degrees. While Enbrel can stay out a total of 14 days. After the 14 days are up the company suggests you throw the Enbrel away.

The current biologic I am on is listed as having four days it can stay out of the refrigerator but it also says not above 30 degrees Celsius. What does that mean? It's been a long time since I did math in school. I have to admit I had to find the answer out on my computer. I live in Louisiana. Most days in the summer are above 30 degrees Celsius which is 86 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, as I sit here and write this we are into the end of September and still experiencing highs in the low 90's each day. It will be another week yet before the temps will drop below the 30 degrees Celsius they suggest.

Being prepared for a natural disaster

No wonder the biologics come shipped in a container that always has at least three ice packs in the box. I would suggest if you read this and are on a biologic that you look up what the requirement is if you should ever be without electricity for an extended period of time. My husband and I have discussed buying a generator. Now I am thinking we definitely should invest in one. Just in case.