This information is for general guidance only and may not apply to all situations.
Disaster Preparedness
Disasters and unforeseen catastrophes tend to occur with little or no warning. In order to be best prepared, it is recommended that independent community pharmacies develop a contingency plan for various circumstances, well in advance. Determine which staff will be responsible in the development of the plan. The identified staff should be knowledgeable about most facets of the organization’s operations and facilities and their knowledge of their role during an emergency should be practiced annually. Owners should always have the emergency contact information, including cell phone numbers, for all staff, legal representation, and insurance company contact(s). Annually, the pharmacy should conduct a risk assessment that evaluate the probability or risk that specific emergencies may impact the pharmacy. Threats could include but are not limited to floods, power outages, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, fires from neighboring buildings, and even health-related emergencies, technological threats, and terrorism. A risk assessment survey may be a good tool to implement to assess the potential impact of each emergency. Here is a sample of a risk assessment survey:
Disaster Relief
Since 1953, the NCPA Foundation provides disaster relief grantmaking to independent community pharmacies affected by disasters. 100% of all dollars given to the disaster relief fund go directly to supporting independent community pharmacies.
The NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Fund was established to provide financial assistance to independent community pharmacy owners throughout the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. The fund helps pharmacies recover when impacted by a disaster (i.e. hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, floods, tornadoes, etc.) or a catastrophic event (i.e. property damage due to civil unrest or terrorist attack, business interruption or store closure due to pandemic, water crises, etc.). Aside from insurance and governmental assistance, there is little support for independent pharmacies in times of disaster and often this support takes a long time to reach the pharmacy.
Disaster Response
Our Disaster Response Philosophy
The NCPA Foundation recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, creating significant health disparities.
These communities often face compounded challenges:
- Limited healthcare infrastructure makes disaster recovery more difficult
- Socioeconomic barriers reduce access to essential medications and medical services
- Existing health inequities are dramatically amplified during crisis situations
Therefore, we are committed to funding long-term recovery, preparedness, mitigation, and resilience efforts that:
- Address systemic health inequities through independent community pharmacies when exposed during disasters.
- Providing sustainable solutions beyond immediate emergency response that ensure the sustainability of the independent community pharmacy in the community.
- Empowering local healthcare infrastructure through strategic training of pharmacy staff, mental health support, and connecting with other nonprofit partners to help mobilize the response efforts of the community pharmacies.
Health equity is a critical component of this work and as part of our disaster response approach we:
- Value support for underserved and marginalized communities through independent community pharmacies serving those populations.
- Ensuring continuous medication access during emergencies.
- Developing community-based resilience strategies.
- Acknowledging independent community pharmacies as critical healthcare access points in vulnerable regions.
Long-term Recovery Resources for Independent Community Pharmacy
NCPA Foundation Disaster Relief Grantmaking
Small Business Loans
Tax Relief For Disaster Victims
Legal Aid For Disaster Survivors
National Disaster Distress Helpline
- Call or text 1-800-985-5990
- This helpline is dedicated to providing crisis counseling support 24/7/365 for anyone in the U.S./territories experiencing emotional distress or other mental health concerns related to any natural or human-caused disaster.
NAMI Provider Program
- This staff development program is for healthcare providers, administrative staff, operational staff and students working directly with people affected by mental illness. It’s an experience that equips participants with a deeper understanding of mental illness and the confidence to serve individuals and families in a collaborative manner. Learn more.
Prepare for the next disaster with Ready.gov/business
- Independent community pharmacy owners and their staff can do a lot to prepare for the most likely hazards they will face in the workplace. Ready Business helps you to create a plan to get ready for what comes next.