The Emergency Prescription Assistance Program's (EPAP): Providing continuing chronic health care for Hurricane Maria survivors from USVI

In this study we explore the capabilities and the impact of Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) during Hurricane Maria in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) using descriptive analytic methods and mapping from the data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services. To date, this is the first peer reviewed analysis of EPAP claims conducted since its launch in 2008 post Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. Three primary study objectives are explored: a) characterization of the chronic care medication needs met by EPAP; b) characterization and analysis of the type and timing of claims processed and c) involved pharmacy characterization. During the study period of November 2017-April 2018, EPAP has served over 2000 patients amounting to over 17,000 prescription claims. Maintenance medications claims for hypertension, diabetes and antibiotics were the top three drug categories processed by the program. Through local pharmacies enrolled with EPAP, continuity of care for the uninsured was safeguarded, and local business operations were not required to donate inventory and services to provide that continuity of care. EPAP services are a critical component of the disaster recovery efforts to address chronic care medication needs of displaced disaster survivors.