Has Hurricane Harvey Disrupted Your HIV Meds?

In response to Hurricane Harvey, the Texas HIV Medication Program (THMP) has been posting the latest information for their clients in the area who are having difficulties accessing their HIV medications due to the disaster.

The information is primarily for people who receive their meds through THMP, but there is also some general information for anyone having trouble getting their HIV medication, and tips for surviving the ordeal as safely as possible.

We are posting the most recent update from THMP below, but please visit their page on the Texas Department of State Health Services website for up-to-the-minute updates as the situation continues to unfold.

8/29 Update on Medication Delivery from the THMP Program

At this time, the THMP program is still not able to deliver medications to Houston, College Station, Beaumont, or Victoria and surrounding areas. Please contact THMP if your pharmacy is in the Houston, College Station, Beaumont, or Victoria areas and you have medication that can be dispensed that you would like the program to replenish.

Deliveries are delayed to Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and surrounding areas, but are in operation. Please contact THMP to change the pharmacy for any evacuees in your area.

Deliveries in the rest of the state are on schedule. Please contact THMP to change the pharmacy for any evacuees in your area.

Additionally, please be aware of the following dates:

On Thursday, August 31, the DSHS Pharmacy Warehouse will be conducting inventory, and no THMP medication deliveries will be sent out.

Monday, September 4th, is Labor Day and is a state holiday, and no THMP medication deliveries will be sent out.

Disaster Preparedness Steps

Step 1: Get Ready

-Keep your prescriptions up-to-date.

-Ask your doctor to give you a copy of helpful medical information, and keep that information with you.

-Keep track of approaching storms via weather forecasts, and be sure to refill your prescriptions a few days before a storm arrives; do not wait until the last minute!

Step 2: Evacuate when instructed and take:

-All of your medications in their original bottles (with labels attached).

-A back up list of all medications you take and their dosages (use the Hurricane Preparedness form).

-Helpful medical information.

-Your clinic’s name, your doctor’s name and phone number.

-Your medical and insurance cards.

-Picture identification, Social Security card and any important legal papers.

-Medical equipment and supplies (dentures, glucometers & strips, nebulizers, and crutches).

-Personal hygiene items.

-Water, non-perishable food and cash.

-The Hurricane Preparedness form with your medications and important numbers.

Step 3: Medication, Medication, Medication

-Make sure you bring all medications with you.

-If your HIV medications are running out, do not skip doses to stretch them out. Get refills as soon as possible!

-If you run out of one of your HIV medications – stop all of your HIV medications until you are able to get refills. Taking incomplete doses of your HIV regimen could lead to therapy complications later

-Do not stop taking other medications for other medical conditions unrelated to your HIV infection; seek refills from a local provider or pharmacy.

-If you evacuate or your normal pharmacy is closed, call the Texas HIV Medication Program at 1-800-255-1090 and speak to any staff person to find out how to get your medications.

For the latest up-to-date info, follow this link:

Texas HIV Medication Program - Disaster Preparedness for THMP Clients