A critical access override list may be generated dynamically based on patient profile information for a single patient or a group of patients. A single patient or group of patients is initially identified. Patient profile information for the patient or group of patients is accessed. The patient profile information is analyzed, and medications are selected for critical access override. The selected medications are added to a critical access override list available to a medication dispensing apparatus to provide quicker access to the medications for emergency situation purposes via critical access override dispensing in which fewer steps are performed than normal medication dispensing events.