# 2092
In a statement of policy released this week, the AMA (American Medical Association) has advocated that patients have extra medications on hand for chronic medical problems in case of disasters.
While hurricanes, earthquakes and floods are mentioned in this release, a pandemic would certainly qualify as a disaster.
Armed with this policy statement patients can hopefully convince their doctors to write scripts for an emergency supply of their most vital medicines.
A big hat tip to Florida1 on Flutrackers for finding this statement.
AMA adopts new public health policies at Annual Meeting
For immediate release
June 17, 2008CHICAGO — The American Medical Association (AMA), the nation's largest physician organization, voted today at its Annual Meeting to adopt the following new public health policies.
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Personal medication supply in times of disaster: Earthquakes, hurricanes and floods have headlined recent news reports. This new policy supports allowing all patients with chronic medical conditions to maintain an emergency reserve of prescription medications. It also encourages patients to carry a list of current medications and the prescribing physician's contact information with them to ensure continuity of care in the event of a disaster or other emergency.
"There are more than 125 million Americans living with chronic illnesses who rely on medication," said AMA Board Member Steven Stack, MD. "Disasters can happen at any time, and ensuring that patients with chronic conditions have access to needed medications may help minimize the uncertainty, confusion and health risks following a disaster."
