The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) recently has announced that Malaysia will experience continuous heavy rainfall from mid-November until early next year, which may lead to probable major flash floods in several states.
Alpro Pharmacy, Malaysia’s largest prescription pharmacy chain has shared several flood preparation from a community pharmacist’s point of view especially for the residents in flood-prone areas, to proactively mitigate flood damages ahead of the period and in the aftermath.
Pre & Post Flood Preparation:
1. Prior To A Flood
Here are few things you can prepare before flood happens:
- Closely monitor your surroundings and to stay up to date on weather forecasts and warnings.
- Assemble disaster supplies including long-term medications and first aid kits in water-proof bags in case of evacuation.
- Patients, especially the elderly, with chronic diseases, are advised to visit their nearest pharmacy along with their chronic medications in order to keep a record in the pharmacy and have an up-to-date medication list.
Tips: Patients who have lost their hard-copy prescription and having difficulty to retrieve medication list can get a help to restore the medication history at nearest community pharmacy. Chronic medications, in particular, require compliance and consistency for an optimal health outcome.
2. Aftermath Of A Flood
Due to poor sanitation and hygiene in flood areas, there might be a catalyst for flood-borne diseases such as Leptospirosis, Cholera, and Dengue fever. Flood survivors should keep an eye out for general symptoms such as fever, headache, diarrhea, muscle aches, and vomiting. This is to help in identifying possible infections. In the case of any such symptoms, please visit the nearest healthcare centers immediately. You can start to clean up your area, check this House Cleaning Tips, What To Do Post Flood for guidance!
For those who had their chronic medication contaminated or washed away by the flood, Alpro Pharmacy provides a one-time supply for up to 7 days for free. Communities affected by the flood can visit any of the 200 Alpro Pharmacy outlets nationwide to speak to the pharmacists for more details. Please note that a police report copy of the flooding is required for verification purposes.
This free medication and medical assistance are the initiatives under Life-saving Medication Care Programme – a long-standing commitment by Alpro Pharmacy and DOC2US to provide healthcare support to communities affected by natural disasters.
Save This Number For The Future!
As a precaution, the public is welcome to save the phone number of our Customer Care Line 019-612 9006 for further advice and support. Alternatively, you may reach our professional pharmacist via the e-pharmacy WhatsApp hotline at 019-702 1923.
More tips on flood-related:
