An act of terrorism, or a large-scale natural disaster, may require rapid access to large quantities of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. SInce no one can anticipate exactly where this may occur, and since state and local governments may not have sufficient resources of their own, a national stockpile has been created to supplement and assist local efforts.

The purpose of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is to serve as a national repository of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, airway maintenance supplies, and other medical-surgical items. It stands by to rapidly deploy these items in the event of a public health emergency anywhere and at any time within the US or its territories.

DHD #10 is working with various emergency response agencies in our area to develop local plans for distribution of materials supplied through SNS. For more information about SNS, please visit the CDC at www.bt.cdc.gov