After September 11th and the anthrax crisis in the following months,
HDMA undertook an aggressive emergency preparedness plan, seeking active
involvement and coordination with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), terrorism experts,
and other associations to develop a coordinated effort in response
to terrorism and bioterrorism. Between the federal stockpile of push
packs and supplies, manufacturers' ramp-up of products, and healthcare
distributors' own emergency contingency plans, we are building a first
line of defense in providing critical pharmaceutical and healthcare
supplies during such emergencies.
Under the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act, many HDMA distributor
members are required to register with the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) as “food handlers.” All facilities must register with FDA if they
manufacture, process, pack, or hold food regulated by FDA, including
dietary supplements, infant formula, and hard candy (cough
drops).
Federal Activities
Resources
Rx Response
Rx Response is an information-sharing forum comprised of pharmaceutical manufacturers distributors, pharmacies, hospitals, disaster relief agencies and state/federal government agencies. The program engages during a severe natural disaster, large-scale terrorist attack or a pandemic that disrupts the normal supply of medicines.
Upcoming Activities
In order to enhance communication for members in emergency response preparedness, we are adding a data field in our member database for the names of distributor member representatives listed as authorized contacts for emergency planning.
If you have not already done so, please let us know who will be responsible for this role (up to two contacts) within your organization:
Business continuity/ Emergency management/ Crisis owner (will also be the liaison for RxResponse)
Contacts
Marjorie DePuy
Associate Director, Industry Relations
703-885-0283
mdepuy@hdmanet.org
Anita Ducca
Senior Director, Regulatory Affairs
703-885-0240
aducca@hdmanet.org
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