Behavioral-health and substance-use treatment programs sometimes worry about storing specialty medications like clotting factor or other bleeding-disorder treatments. These medicines can be expensive, refrigerated, or require supplies that staff don’t usually handle.

You can reassure them that facilities don’t need to manage or administer these medications on their own. They just need to provide safe, secure storage and allow access when it’s time for treatment.

Your bleeding disorder treatment team can explain what the medication requires, provide written instructions, and help the facility set up a simple plan that works within its policies.

Typically, storage needs include:

• A small amount of refrigerator space (if required by the product)

• A secure place where the medication and supplies can be kept safe

• Access for the patient or designated nurse to retrieve medication on treatment days

• A private, clean space where the infusion or injection can take place

Most facilities find these steps straightforward once they understand that the medication is already prepared, pre-dosed, and handled safely by the patient or their care team.

Here are some examples you can use when discussing medication storage with a facility:

• “I understand that storing bleeding-disorder medication might be new for your team. My medication just needs to be kept in a secure location and, if it requires refrigeration, in a regular fridge. My treatment team can provide instructions.”

• “You don’t need to mix or prepare anything. The medication will be in pre-packaged doses, and either I or a trained person will give it.”

• “My treatment team can tell you exactly how it should be stored and when it needs to be used.”

• “If refrigeration space is limited, my team can help you find a safe temporary option or coordinate deliveries through my specialty pharmacy.”

• “All you need to do is keep it secure and allow access for me (or the nurse) on infusion days.”

If you are a parent or caregiver, you could say:

• “We just need a secure place to store my child’s factor and a private space for them or a nurse to give it. Their treatment team can send you simple written storage instructions.”

Send the following to the facility:

• Safe storage of bleeding disorder medication: Personalize this email template to familiarize facility staff with safe storage practices for bleeding disorder medications.

Suggested materials:

• Medication package insert or product storage instructions

• Written guidance from your bleeding disorder treatment team

• Information sheet from your specialty pharmacy

• Sample medication storage plan