Healthcare organizations involved in the manufacturing, distribution, and dispensing of pharmaceutical products have announced the creation of Rx Response--a program designed to help support the continued delivery of medicines during a severe public health emergency. The partnership includes the American Hospital Association, American Red Cross, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Healthcare Distribution Management Association, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, National Community Pharmacists Association, and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. The partners are working with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security as well as state emergency agencies to further develop the program.
The consumer website, www.RxResponse.org, also offers visitors the opportunity to print a wallet card, in English or Spanish, on which they can record a personal list of medications and other relevant medical information in case of emergency.
RxResponse will be activated when responding to severe domestic public health emergencies--when existing emergency relief plans and service programs are disrupted. Although public health emergencies will be determined on a case-by-case basis, a number of existing mechanisms will be used to help guide decision making, including a disaster declaration by the president or a U.S. governor, an American Red Cross Level V+ event, or a Department of Homeland Security “severe” classification.
