Report calls for action to improve medical countermeasures preparedness

The U.S. Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise, which coordinates the nation’s medical countermeasures preparedness and response under the leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services, should establish an advisory committee of nonfederal partners to provide strategic guidance on topics such as supply chain and stockpiling considerations, private-sector partnerships for medical countermeasures development, and equitable allocation and distribution of limited resources, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study committee recommended today.

Among other actions, the report recommends PHEMCE regularly test and evaluate its preparedness and response capabilities and capacities; establish an integrated data system accessible to non-federal partners and stakeholders to help monitor and manage its activities; conduct an independent assessment of Strategic National Stockpile lessons from COVID-19 and other public health emergencies; and expand coordination with global entities.