WOONSOCKET, R.I., Aug. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane
Harvey approaches the Texas coast,
CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE:CVS), is
reminding patients to make sure they take care of their
prescription needs before the storm hits.
"In light of the hurricane warnings and evacuation orders now in
effect along the Texas coast, CVS
Pharmacy is urging patients to visit our stores before the storm
makes landfall, to ensure that they have the medications they need
to ride out the storm," said Kevin
Hourican, Executive Vice President, Retail Pharmacy and
Supply Chain for CVS Health. "CVS Pharmacy has been proactively
reaching out to our pharmacy patients via text message and email to
remind them to refill prescriptions before the severe weather
hits."
Patients who live in areas that are expected to be affected by
the storm, and who have opted in to CVS Pharmacy's automated
notification programs, may receive automated phone calls, text
messages, and mobile app notifications, depending on the status of
their current prescriptions. These messages can help patients in
several ways, including letting them know when their prescription
is ready to be picked up, reminding them that their prescription is
ready to be refilled, and informing patients where they can pick up
their medications during emergency situations. To further help
patients, CVS Pharmacy has also been working with insurers to allow
for early prescription refills in certain cases.
"CVS Pharmacy and CVS Caremark, our pharmacy benefit management
business, have activated a process that allows pharmacists to
provide one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication
for plan members impacted in the areas affected by Hurricane
Harvey," said Hourican.
CVS Pharmacy is stocking stores with emergency items, such as
bottled water, batteries, flashlights and first aid supplies and
offers customers the following tips:
- Create a plan for evacuating and finding a safe
destination.
- Store all medications, along with a written record of current
prescriptions, in a waterproof container. This is especially
important for people taking multiple prescriptions. Medical
equipment, batteries or power cords, eyeglasses and hearing aids
are important to keep on hand as well.
- In the event of an emergency, find a pharmacy nearby to fill
necessary prescriptions. CVS Pharmacy can fill its customers'
prescriptions at any of its 9,700 locations nationwide, including
the more than 800 locations in Texas.
- Create an emergency kit and make sure you have all essentials
in case of power outages. CVS Pharmacy carries all of the critical
items needed including bottled water, masking tape, flashlights and
batteries.
- For a full list of tips on being prepared for a hurricane,
visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency's website,
https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.
To find a CVS Pharmacy near you, visit the store locator
at http://www.cvs.com/.
CVS Pharmacy and the CVS Health Foundation are working with
non-profit partners, first responders, elected officials and
government agencies along the Texas coast to identify the critical supplies
and support they may need to help with relief and recovery
efforts.
About CVS Pharmacy
CVS Pharmacy, the retail division of CVS Health (NYSE: CVS), is
America's leading retail pharmacy with over 9,700 locations. It is
the first national pharmacy to end the sale of tobacco and the
first pharmacy in the nation to receive the Community Pharmacy
accreditation from URAC, the leading health care accreditation
organization that establishes quality standards for the health care
industry. CVS Pharmacy is reinventing pharmacy to help people on
their path to better health by providing the most accessible and
personalized expertise, both in its stores and online at CVS.com.
General information about CVS Pharmacy and CVS Health is available
at www.cvshealth.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amy Lanctot
alanctot@cvs.com
401-770-2931
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SOURCE CVS Pharmacy