[What do the floods in the Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, teach about access, logistics and donations of medicines?].

This article seeks to reflect on pharmaceutical services in disaster situations, considering the context of the flood that devastated Rio Grande do Sul in May 2024. Reflections are presented based on the observation of activities in a center created to receive donated medicines and its close relationship with the pharmaceutical services network that was formed. The reflections concern the geographic location of pharmaceutical supply centers and the logistics involving the medicine, from receipt to access. Special focus was given to items received by donation, addressing the issue of free samples, me-too medicines, fixed-dose combinations and the importance of essential medicines and disaster lists. The article also suggests that pharmaceutical services assessment instruments consider climate risks; the use of information technology to optimize logistics; and the relaxation of medication dispensing standards during a state of public calamity. Finally, it signals the need to reinforce and reevaluate the organization of pharmaceutical assistance at municipal and state levels.