Medication Safety Planning

Clear guidance on storing, transporting, and accessing medication safely.

Medication Safety Planning

Overview

This page outlines options for organizing, storing, and planning medications when dealing with relationship-related safety concerns.

Use the sections below to create a simple, written medication plan you can adjust over time.

1. Safe Storage

Consider how, where, and with whom your medications are stored.

• List all current medications:
  • Names (including over-the-counter and prescription)
  • Doses and how often taken
  • Prescribing provider and pharmacy
• Decide where to keep daily medications:
  • In a location that is easy for you to access
  • In a place that feels more private or less visible to others in the home
  • Separated from shared items (e.g., not in a common cabinet, if that feels safer)
• Consider lockable options:
  • Small lockbox or lockable drawer
  • Pill organizer kept inside a bag or case that can be taken with you
  • Key or combination code stored in a place only you know
• Think about labeling:
  • Use discrete containers if visible labels feel unsafe
  • Keep original pharmacy labels and paperwork stored in a separate, safe location if possible
• Decide who knows about your medications:
  • Anyone you trust to help you keep medications safe
  • Anyone who may need to know in case of emergency (e.g., medical providers)
  • What information you prefer not to share with the person causing harm

2. Refill Planning

Refill planning can reduce gaps or disruptions if the person causing harm interferes with appointments, transportation, or communication.

• Track refill dates:
  • Write next refill dates on a calendar (paper or digital)
  • Set neutral reminders (e.g., “call store” instead of “medication refill” if that feels safer)
• Clarify refill process with your pharmacy:
  • How many refills are remaining
  • How far in advance they allow refills
  • Options for automatic refills or text/phone alerts
• Consider safer communication methods:
  • Using a communication method that feels lower-risk (e.g., calling when alone)
  • Checking if the pharmacy name and details appear on shared billing or phone records
• Plan for transportation to pick up refills:
  • Identify more than one way to get to the pharmacy when possible
  • Note pharmacy hours and less busy times
  • Consider delivery options, and where deliveries are left
• Backup prescriptions:
  • Ask your provider (if appropriate in your setting) about:
    • Longer prescriptions (e.g., 60- or 90-day) if safe
    • Electronic prescriptions to a pharmacy you can access more safely

3. Backup Supply

A limited backup supply can help if you are unable to access your usual storage, pharmacy, or home.

• Decide what a “backup” means for you:
  • How many days of medication you would prefer to have stored separately (e.g., 1–3 days, 1 week, etc.)
  • Which medications are most critical not to miss
• Possible backup locations:
  • A small supply in a discreet bag or wallet you usually keep with you
  • With a trusted person (if safe), in a clearly labeled but private container
  • In a workplace drawer or locker (if rules and privacy allow)
  • In a go-bag or packed essentials bag you can access quickly
• Rotate backup medications:
  • Check expiration dates regularly
  • Use and replace older pills to keep the backup current
• Record key information with your backup:
  • Medication name and dose
  • Prescribing provider and pharmacy phone number
  • Any known allergies or important medical notes
• Consider how visible the backup is:
  • Use small, ordinary-looking containers
  • Avoid labeling that might attract questions if that feels safer

4. Travel With Medication

Travel, overnights away from home, or sudden moves can change how safe and accessible your medication is.

4.1 Preparing to Travel

• Create a travel medication checklist:
  • All medications needed for the full trip, plus extra days if possible
  • List of medication names and doses (on paper, on your phone, or both)
  • Provider and pharmacy contact information
• Choose how to pack:
  • Keep medications in original containers if needed for identification
  • Separate part of your supply into a different bag or pocket in case one bag is lost
  • Use a simple pill organizer if that feels safer or less noticeable
• Plan for storage at your destination:
  • Identify a safe place in the room or space you will stay
  • Decide whether a lockable bag or lockbox is useful for this trip
  • Consider who else may have access to the room or shared spaces

4.2 During Travel

• Keep critical medications with you:
  • In a carry-on bag, purse, or pocket instead of checked luggage
  • In a container you can access without asking the person causing harm
• Time zone and schedule changes:
  • Note any time-sensitive medications and how travel may affect timing
  • Set neutral alarms or reminders that do not draw attention
• Refills away from home:
  • Write down how to contact your regular pharmacy and provider
  • Check whether your pharmacy chain has other locations along your route or destination

4.3 Unplanned Moves or Leaving Quickly

• Pre-pack a simple medication kit:
  • Small supply of essential medications
  • Written list of all medications and doses
  • Copies or photos of prescriptions, if safe to store
• Decide where the kit will be kept:
  • Near an exit, in a bag that could be taken quickly
  • With a trusted person, if safe
• Review the kit regularly:
  • Update medication list when prescriptions change
  • Replace medications near expiration

Simple Medication Safety Plan Template

You can copy or adapt this outline on paper, in a note on your phone, or in another private place.

• My current medications:
  • Names and doses:
  • Provider(s):
  • Pharmacy and phone:
• My safe storage plan:
  • Daily storage location:
  • Who knows about this location:
  • Backup storage location (if any):
• My refill plan:
  • How I track refills:
  • Preferred pharmacy:
  • Transport options to pick up medications:
• My backup supply:
  • Number of days of backup I aim for:
  • Where I keep the backup:
  • When I last checked expiration dates:
• My travel plan:
  • Where I will store medications while traveling:
  • How I will keep critical medications with me:
  • How I will reach my provider or pharmacy if needed:

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