In the NewsAugust 5, 2009
Some measures won't help prevent flu pandemic: report, by Maggie Fox. Reuters.
Ms. Brooke Courtney discusses findings in the report entitled "Public health and medical responses to the 1957-58 influenza pandemic": "In 1957 it was decided pretty early on that efforts to quarantine or isolate people would not be effective." May 2, 2009
As the first cases of swine flu are confirmed in Florida, the state's stockpile of antiviral drugs falls short of being able to combat a full scale epidemic, by Anna Scott. Sarasota Herald Tribune.
Ms. Brooke Courtney comments about the cost of stockpiling antivirals and the decision of some states, such as Florida, to not stockpile drugs because of competing budget priorities: "The medicine, even with the subsidy the federal government was offering, is expensive and would have represented a significant budget item for local and state governments…""...I don't think any of them [states] can be or should be criticized for that decision." March 17, 2009
Homeland Security: Inside and Out, hosted by Dave McIntyre and Randy Larsen. Federal News Radio.
Ms. Courtney discusses countermeasure dispensing and issues associated with the Shelf Life Extension Program: “All medications have a manufacturer-assigned shelf life, which is generally 12 to 16 months from the time of manufacture. But the actual shelf life of certain medicines, if they’re stored properly, can be significantly longer…. The [Shelf Life Extension Program, or SLEP] is designed to defer and reduce the replacement costs of the medicines [in the Strategic National Stockpile] by extending the useful shelf life through periodic FDA testing and strict environmental controls.” … “The [SLEP] program has resulted in significant savings for the federal government and should be [made] available for local and state stockpiles, particularly for their first responder stockpiles.” Listen to interview August 13, 2008
Stockpiling antiterror drugs may be unsafe, experts warn, by David Malakoff. ScienceNow Daily News.
Responding to a letter from the National Biodefense Science Board to HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt regarding a draft HHS document that provides advice to the public on stockpiling antibiotics, Ms. Courtney notes that "The board does raise some very good points"… and that the HHS document "could be very confusing to the public." May 13, 2008
Homeland Security Inside and Out. Host: Randy Larsen. KAMU 90.9 FM.
Ms. Courtney discussed MedKits and city response to a public health emergency: "I think that a lot of communication needs to occur about the specific roles that federal, state, and local agencies will have. If a local health department . . . like in Baltimore City, is responsible for responding to an anthrax attack and getting medicines to people . . . we would need to know what is the role of the federal government, will they be coming in, what role will they play in our city, what role will the state play?" Listen to interview | 
