The COVID-19 pandemic has made it painfully apparent that our supply chain systems are broken. Actually, they are shattered beyond belief. This is a systemic issue and everyone is affected around the globe.

Most of us have experienced the inability to procure hand sanitizer, toilet paper or N95 masks. But imagine not being able to obtain the medicine you need to live. This is not a dystopian imaginary universe. This sci-fi scenario is not in a book or a movie. You can’t return the book to the shelf or simply change the channel.

It stems from the fact that the drug hydroxychloroquine is suddenly in scarce supply. This drug is highly effective at treating lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. Suddenly previously affordable drugs became a hot commodity when news headlines stated that this drug might have the potential to treat COVID-19. Suddenly it was stockpiled around the globe for COVID-19 support.

At Valor, we hit the pause button and asked how we could help. Could we work to source this medication and make sure it was available to those who need it for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders? We were fortunate. We were able to secure a significant supply.

But now we face a new problem. How do we get the word out? Most essentially, how do we get this medicine into the hands that need it most? When we tried to dispense the medication, we ran into another set of broken supply chains. Which hospitals need it? What clinics can we ship it to? Which patients are most affected? How do we reach doctors whose offices are closed and can we partner with telemedicine companies who are writing prescription medications during COVID-19?

We see this issue trending on social media channels. Selena Gomez has lupus. Kamala Harris’s sister Maya also has lupusThe Lupus Foundation of America is working to get the word out.

Valor wants to help. Just like when we made and donated hand sanitizer to the front lines, we now want to help again only this time it comes in a different form. We need you.

Can you help us spread the word to help get hydroxychloroquine to patients who desperately need this effective medication to help cope with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders?

This pandemic has left us feeling helpless. But there are things we can do right from our homes. We can do our part to help everyone thrive as much as possible during this global crisis.

Post this message about hydroxychloroquine on your social media channels: Need hydroxychloroquine? Valor Compounding Pharmacy can dispense your Rx. Call 510–548–8777 with a valid Rx #WithoutMyHCQ #lupus #autoimmune

Best of all, getting a Rx from Valor means the patient doesn’t need to go to CVS, Walgreen’s or Rite Aid to pick up their Rx. Who wants to expose themselves to germs more than they already need to? Especially in a pandemic! If you can order groceries to your door through Instacart, Amazon or Good Eggs, why not your Rx, too?

Mail-order pharmacies are on the rise. Just like telemedicine, they are growing at a fast clip. Two years ago, 11% of U.S. adult pharmacy customers got their prescription drugs from an online pharmacy, based on a survey conducted by market research firm CivicScience. That figure has been steadily rising over the years, according to Statista.com, an online statistics portal.

We can’t do it without you. Let’s help everyone get access to this hydroxychloroquine who needs it.

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