18/08/2025
Essential Pharmacy items for Flood affected areas
*Antiseptics: Povidone-iodine solution and swabs. Estimated quantity: 100-200 bottles/boxes for a population of 1,000.
* Wound Dressings: Sterile gauze pads, bandages (various sizes), adhesive plasters. Estimated quantity: 200-500 rolls and packs.
* Medical Tape: For securing dressings. Estimated quantity: 50-100 rolls.
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Disposable gloves and masks. Estimated quantity: 500-1,000 pairs of gloves, 200-500 masks.
* Hand Sanitizer: For situations where clean water is not available. Estimated quantity: 50-100 bottles.
* Cotton Wool/Balls: For cleaning and applying topical treatments. Estimated quantity: 50-100 packs.
2. Medications for Common Illnesses
Flood-affected areas are prone to waterborne and vector-borne diseases due to contaminated water and stagnant pools.
* Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): Essential for treating dehydration from diarrhea. Estimated quantity: 500-1,000 sachets.
* Antibiotics: Broad-spectrum oral antibiotics for respiratory, skin, and gastrointestinal infections. Examples include Amoxicillin, Azithromycin, and Metronidazole. Estimated quantity: 200-500 packs of each.
* Antifungal Creams/Ointments: For skin infections. Estimated quantity: 50-100 tubes.
* Analgesics/Antipyretics: Paracetamol (tablets and syrup) and Ibuprofen for fever and pain relief. Estimated quantity: 500-1,000 strips of Paracetamol, 200-500 strips of Ibuprofen.
* Antihistamines: For allergic reactions and skin rashes. Estimated quantity: 100-200 strips.
* Topical Steroids: For severe skin rashes and insect bites. Estimated quantity: 50-100 tubes.
* Anti-diarrheal medication: E.g., Loperamide (use with caution). Estimated quantity: 100-200 strips.
3. Medications for Specific Conditions
These are for more severe or specialized health concerns that can arise in a disaster zone.
* Anti-malarial and Dengue medicines: Based on the risk of vector-borne diseases. A rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kit for malaria and Dengue is also crucial. Estimated quantity: 100-200 courses of anti-malarial drugs, and 50-100 diagnostic kits.
* Cholera Kits: A pre-packaged kit containing antibiotics, ORS, and other essentials for a cholera outbreak. Estimated quantity: 10-20 kits.
* Anti-snake venom: Given the potential for snake bites in floodwaters. Estimated quantity: 5-10 vials.
* Tetanus Toxoid: For vaccination against tetanus, especially for open wounds. Estimated quantity: 50-100 ampules.
* Insulin and other refrigerated medicines: Must be transported and stored with a cold chain. Estimated quantity depends on the known patient population.
* Chronic Disease Medications: While not for immediate emergency, having some stock of essential chronic disease medications (e.g., for hypertension, diabetes, asthma) is important for people who have lost their supplies.
4. Essential Equipment and Supplies
* Suturing Kits: For managing deep lacerations. Estimated quantity: 10-20 kits.
* Syringes and Needles: For administering injections and vaccinations. Estimated quantity: 500-1,000 syringes of various sizes.
* Intravenous (IV) Fluids: Normal saline and Ringer's lactate for severe dehydration. Estimated quantity: 50-100 bottles.
* Clean Water and Water Purification Tablets: The most critical supply to prevent waterborne diseases. Estimated quantity: 500-1,000 tablets.
Cost Estimation (PKR)
The price of supplies can fluctuate, but a rough estimate in PKR is as follows:
* Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS): Rs. 500-1,000 per box (30 sachets).
* Paracetamol (tablet): Rs. 100-200 per strip.
* Amoxicillin (capsule): Rs. 500-1,000 per pack.
* Povidone-iodine Solution: Rs. 200-500 per bottle.
* Bandages: Rs. 50-150 per roll.
* Water Purification Tablets: Rs. 1,000-2,000 per box (100 tablets).