Power outages are a familiar problem for many Nigerian households, but a prolonged blackout can create a less obvious problem, which is basically how to keep medicines safe when the refrigerator stops working.

This matters because not every medicine can simply be left on a shelf. Some medicines require refrigeration, while others need to be protected from excessive heat, sunlight or moisture. Insulin is a well-known example, while certain liquid medicines may also have specific storage requirements. 

The most important rule is to check the storage instructions for each medicine rather than assuming that every medicine needs to be refrigerated or that every medicine can safely remain at room temperature.

In this article, Tribune Online highlights how to  preserve vital medications safely during prolonged power outages.

Know which medicines need special storage

Before a power outage occurs, identify medicines in the household that have specific temperature requirements. Check the medicine’s packaging, patient information leaflet or instructions from the pharmacist. Some products may state that they should be stored in a refrigerator, while others may require storage below a particular room temperature.

Insulin, for example, is generally stored in a refrigerator before use, although the permitted temperature and length of time outside the refrigerator vary between products. Do not automatically put ordinary tablets and capsules into the refrigerator simply because the electricity is out. Excessive moisture or unsuitable temperatures can also damage medicines.

Keep the refrigerator closed

If the power goes off, resist the temptation to keep opening the refrigerator to check whether the medicine is still cold. Every time the door is opened, cold airescapes and warmer air enters. Keeping the door closed for as long as possible helps the refrigerator to retain its temperature.

If the refrigerator contains medicines that require refrigeration, avoid opening it unnecessarily until electricity returns or another suitable cooling arrangement is available. For medicines that must remain refrigerated, having a backup plan involving an appropriate cooler and ice or cold packs can be useful during an extended outage. 

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Do not put medicine directly on ice

Trying to keep medicine cold does not mean allowing it to freeze. This is particularly important with insulin. Freezing can damage  insulin and make it less effective. Insulin should therefore never be placed directly against frozen ice packs or inside the freezer compartment.  

If a cooler is being used, place the medicine in a suitable sealed container and separate it from frozen packs so that the medicine does not freeze. The goal is to maintain the temperature specified by the manufacturer, not simply to make the medicine as cold as possible.

A cooler can provide temporary protection

For medicines that genuinely require refrigeration, a properly prepared insulated cooler can provide a temporary alternative when the refrigerator is unavailable. Use cold packs or ice to maintain the required temperature, but prevent direct contact between the medicine and the frozen material.

A thermometer placed inside the cooler can provide useful information about the temperature rather than relying on touch.

Remember that a cooler is a temporary solution. If the outage lasts for an extended period, contact a pharmacist, healthcare provider or the medicine’s manufacturer for advice about whether the product remains usable.

Keep medicines away from heat and sunlight

A blackout can make homes considerably hotter, particularly during Nigeria’s hot weather.

Do not leave medicines on windowsills, inside vehicles, near cooking areas, beside generators or in other places exposed to direct sunlight or heat. Choose the coolest suitable area of the home, away from sunlight and moisture.

Some medicines are intended to be stored at room temperature, but “room temperature” does not mean any temperature that happens to exist inside a hot Nigerian house. If the manufacturer’s instructions specify a maximum temperature, that limit matters.