We’ve bought all the toilet paper, pasta and canned soup. But what about the medications you take every day?

Normally, insurance rules limit how early or how often you can renew a prescription. But on March 13, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) called on insurers and pharmaceutical benefits managers (PBMs) to temporarily waive early-refill limits and/or to allow emergency refills.

“It’s essential that patients be prepared and have adequate supplies of their prescription medications,” said APhA Senior Vice President for Pharmacy Practice and Government Affairs Ilisa Bernstein.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, APhA adds, have changed regulations to allow Part D and Medicare Advantage plans to ease up on “refill-too-soon edits” so people can buy extra medication. Check with your plan to see if they’re doing this.

The CDC recommends a seven- to 10-day supply of prescription medication, plus cough medication and pain relievers—not Ibuprofen, however, as it makes users more susceptible to COVID-19. They also suggest trying to get an extra 30-day supply. You should have a two-week supply of pet meds, as well, plus a month’s worth of flea and tick medication.

www.bit.ly/aphamedication 

www.bit.ly/cdcmedication