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Biosecurity News in Brief
HHS Takes Preparedness Measures for Anthrax; Requests Antibiotic Kit EUA for Postal Carriers, Liability Protection for Private Sector BusinessesBy Crystal Franco, October 6, 2008 On October 1, 2008, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Mike Leavitt announced that the Department has called for 2 measures to prepare for an anthrax attack.1 The first is a request by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)2 “allowing eligible letter carriers to receive kits containing small quantities of antibiotics,” for personal use following an anthrax attack.1 The second is a declaration issued by HHS that provides liability protections for private sector businesses that are marshaled for distributing countermeasures during a public health emergency.3 With regard to the former, 3 Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) cities (Seattle, Philadelphia, and Boston) have developed and tested programs wherein United States Postal Service (USPS) employees deliver antibiotics to residents’ homes in the event of a large aerosolized anthrax attack. According to HHS, distributing countermeasures to postal workers in advance of a public health emergency “would help protect volunteers [and their families] against contracting anthrax if, following an outdoor anthrax attack, the Postal Service was called upon to deliver the same life-saving antibiotics directly to homes across their community…”1 The second measure is a declaration by Secretary Leavitt issued under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) that “provides liability protection for activities related to developing, manufacturing, distributing, prescribing, dispensing, administering and using anthrax countermeasures in preparation for, and in response to, a potential anthrax attack.” In essence, this declaration would limit the liability of private-sector businesses such as retail stores and pharmacies that may aid in distributing medications or vaccines before or after an anthrax attack.1 HHS emphasized that “no imminent threat currently exists.” However, Secretary Leavitt noted that “[p]reparedness is a shared responsibility that must involve all sectors of society, including the private sector, community groups, families and individuals,” and HHS is “using the authorities available…to support preparedness at all levels.”1 References
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