With the upcoming holiday season, we’re becoming quite spoiled by retail’s longer hours. With malls open until nearly midnight and restaurants serving dinners late into the night, it’s easy to forget that once the holidays are here, many shops will shut down.

While the thought of a refill may not pose any problems now, we all know the feeling of realizing what we need right after we can’t have it. Maybe you’ve realized at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve that you need your prescriptions refilled! By then, it’s usually too late! Most pharmacies close earlier and for a longer period of time than standard shops.

Thinking ahead about all the medications and prescriptions you’ll need for the entire holiday season can save you the trouble of having to hope for your pharmacy to be open long enough for you to run out and grab a refill.

1)    Take Stock and Make A List: Well before the holidays strike, take a quick inventory of the pills you use daily, and how many you’ll need to get through the first of the year. Make a list of what prescriptions you have and how many you have left to see whether or not you’ll need a refill.

2)    Fill Early: Even if it seems too early, go ahead and get everything refilled. The holidays are a busy time. Between cooking, shopping and spending time with family, it can be easy to forget to grab a refill before the pharmacies close, even if you have your list ready to go. Do it sooner rather than later to avoid running into problems down the road!

3)    Emergency Situations: If you can’t make it to the pharmacy, or if your prescription is unavailable, talk to your insurance company or doctor about what you can do to make sure you have all of your medications. If you often have trouble getting your prescriptions refilled in time, you might consider signing up for ground shipping and having them delivered straight to your door!

Be sure to check your pharmacy’s holiday hours by calling in or going online and plan accordingly. You don’t want to be left in the thrill of the holidays without your prescriptions!