Any experience/advice re drug storage (TCZ) when electricity off & no fridge due to power cut please?

[Erikaknitssocks]

My first post, be kind, I’m maybe just overthinking…. Does anyone have experience/advice on Drug storage when Electricity goes off so that biological injections aren’t rendered unusable please? Power cuts happen regularly during winter as we live in a village ‘in the sticks’ or the ‘wilds of wannee’ 🤷‍♀️. Previously I only needed to ensure we have enough logs, coal and candles. Now I have biological injections which need to be stored at 2-8 degs but if the fridge is off more than 4 hours they are unusable?? This is all new to me and my TCZ 8x injections are being delivered this week. Thankfully it didn’t cause me a problem this time, but I can’t waste or replace 8x injections if/ when it happens again. Plus this is now Day 3 of the current power cut with no certainty of when we will be reconnected and although they don’t usually last this long it’s worrying me. I get that I can drive to stick them in a friend or relatives fridge, but often when the power goes off it’s during heavy snow or ice and I would be stuck in the village 🤷‍♀️ Thank you.

[AgedCrone]

I don’t know about TCZ ….but years ago …I had to store meds at a certain temperature & ahead of time I got a fridge thermometer & turned off the fridge overnight & it was still OK.In retrospect that was OTT…..so why not ask your pharmacist his opinion?

Good luck!

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to AgedCrone]

It’s Lloyds Pharmacy who deliver direct 😱 But thank you, I will try them 👍🏻

[Runrig01]

You should sign up to the priority services register with your supplier. They will try and ensure your ok, and can provide a generator if supply is going to be off for long periods. They will usually phone and check if you need anything if your power is cut off. I’ve had them phone twice to check on me, both times it was only a matter of hours before electricity was restored. I have a thermometer in my fridge close to my injections, which I can read via my computer without having to open the door, and risk the interior warming up. On the occasions when my power has gone off, they’ve remained in range

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to Runrig01]

Thank you that’s helpful I will do - next door neighbour is also worrying as she needs to her insulin to be kept cool, but it’s not as temperature dependant as TCZ I will see if we can get onto that list, thank you very much for your advice.

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to Erikaknitssocks]

I’ve applied to go on the list, thank you 👍🏻

[MJSlide1958 in reply to Runrig01]

Hi Maureengibson,I read your post re registering as priority. Is there a particular company to contact to register. I am with EDF, would you happen to know if there is a main Power company to register with? Thanks

[Runrig01 in reply to MJSlide1958]

This is the company my providers referred me to. I’m sure if they don’t cover your area, they will know who will.

ukpowernetworks.co.uk

[allanah]

Look on the british diabetic websites. They have storage bags that I use for travelling and keep your meds cold for a few days. I got them too as we live rural and find them invaluable . Insulin was kept at the same temp as my RA injections so it was handy xx

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to allanah]

Thank you for this, I have been looking online for something suitable 🤞

[helixhelix]

My biologic isn‘t as sensitive (thankfully!), but when I travel I have a very good medical cool bag that keeps it at 4 degrees for over 2 days (maybe longer, but haven‘t tried). If you always had enough ice blocks in the freezer, and a good quality bag then you could be ok.

[Sheila_G]

That is a very good question and one I have never considered. It must be very worrying for you especially if, as you say, you can't drive or get to anyone else's house, with power. The only thing I can think of is if there are any businesses close by who would have generators so do have power and would store them for you. Good luck.

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to Sheila_G]

Oh, yes, good thinking, the village pub has a generator! They are very community-minded too so I think they would help if they could 👍🏻 So pleased I posted this question, I couldn’t see a solution myself, only problems 🤪 Thank you 😁

[Sheila_G in reply to Erikaknitssocks]

Glad to be of service lol. Good luck

[Erikaknitssocks]

Thank you, I will need something anyway if I ever get around to flying again 🤪 I mean on a ‘plane, not that I have ever actually been able to fly 😂😂😂😂

[Scottishlad]

It is worth checking the detailed storage instructions for your medication. Many biologics are still useable for a number of days after coming out of the fridge. In many cases your next dose will be still be useable, or you would have time to get replacements from your supplier. Once the temperature has risen above 8C the clock starts running and isn't reset when you put it back in the fridge.

I think your best option is have a cool box and ice blocks handy and use this to get your medication to a working fridge.

Unless you can get a generator capable of running for several days, and sufficient fuel to keep it going there is no alternative.

[Paula-C]

Once out of the fridge it can't be put back in.

[Wearylady]

Have a look at Frio website they Sell water activated cooling bags all different sizes made specifically for keeping medications cold.insulin and bios,I use when going on holiday keep cold for 45hrs and you just have to.rewet for another 45hrs.small.2 pen pack approx £18, they do them to take up to 8.

[GranAmie]

dumb question maybe, but if the power is off because of snow would a coolbox packed with snow or in a manmade 'snow box' work, provided the temperature outside is say 0 -6 degrees?. after all freezer goods are ok for abt 24 hrs aren't they? good luck nd best wishes 2u x

[Creakywrists]

I have had this problem ever since I started a biologic drug over 3/4 years ago. I live on an island and our electricity supply comes via an underwater cable from another island 8 miles away. The whole system can be very fragile and we can have repeated power cuts particularly through the winter.

I’ve taken a multi pronged attack!

I have a little, but very loud, alarm designed to alert tropical fish owners that the electricity supply has gone off! I reckon my neighbours can hear it a field away. I only put it on at night as I first lost 3 injections when the power went off not long after I had gone to sleep at night and I woke up to a fridge dripping with water. As someone else said you can usually use some of them within a certain timescale if you don’t put them back in the fridge and I only had to ditch 3.

I always keep large freezer packs in my freezer - one of our doctors gave me the ones that their drugs come with - and I’ve got a sizeable insulation bag. I put the syringes in them with 2 packs and leave the other freezer packs deep in the freezer - freezers stay frozen for 24 hours and often longer. I have been able to keep them cool for several days by putting new packs in roughly 12 hourly. I get my drugs delivered by special delivery in the post in huge polystyrene boxes and I put the insulation bags inside them as well - maybe overkill but that’s how they keep them cold for up to 5 days in transit.

Our GP surgery has a generator and most doctors who’ve been here in the past have been willing to take the syringes in an extended power cut or when I go on holiday. Doing this is actually the best thing for peace of mind though we had a doctor who said he couldn’t put drugs he’d not prescribed in an NHS fridge! Not helpful, it’s the same NHS that’s paying for them. I did read on this forum that another island resident had given hers to the fire station as they had a generator.

I am interested in the Frio bags which only need water to keep the contents cold but haven’t done anything about getting them yet!

Good luck.

[Erikaknitssocks in reply to Creakywrists]

Thank you so much, it was dilemma as we didn’t want to open the fridge or freezer at so we didn’t lose the food we had in there and I never thought the electric would be off for so long …. Plus I’m new to all of this and the fact that I had a biological injection sat in the fridge didn’t occur to me till the fridge had become way too warm …. But today 8 injections are being delivered and I’ll have to prioritise those if/when we next have a power cut! I’ve put our iceblocks in the freezer in preparation.

[Erikaknitssocks]

Thanks everyone for the helpful ideas, especially from those who unfortunately have experience of this happening 🤪 I’m very grateful as I’d got really anxious about this next delivery arriving in expectation of the electric going off again. I know we are lucky to be back on (the power company sent a generator to the village to get us all back up and running) as there are still a lot of folk further up the dale without power now for 5 days! 😱😱