CHARLOTTE AMALIE — HHS’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) activated its Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) for the territory to help uninsured residents recovering from Hurricane Maria obtain the critical prescription drugs they need.
A total of 13 pharmacies in the U.S. Virgin Islands currently participate in the program.
“This program provides vital assistance to people without insurance who rely upon certain prescription medicines to protect their health after disasters,” said HHS’ Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Robert Kadlec, MD. “I encourage U.S. Virgin Islands residents who can use this assistance to take advantage of it to ensure they have an adequate supply of the medicines they need.”
Individuals needing certain drugs during an emergency can obtain, at no cost to them, a 30-day supply at any of the EPAP participating pharmacies.
Patients can renew their prescriptions every 30 days while the program is active.
In addition, they can use EPAP to replace maintenance prescription medications, certain medical supplies, vaccines, or medical equipment lost as a direct result of the declared emergency.
President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the U.S. Virgin Islands on September 21, 2017, due to Hurricane Maria.