[StBernard] Program to ensure delivery of meds during disaster

[Westley Annis]

Program to ensure delivery of meds during disaster
Healthcare organizations that manufacture, dispense and distribute
pharmaceuticals have launched Rx Response, an online program designed to
ensure that medicine delivery is not disrupted during public emergencies. 

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 Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America worked
with HHS and the Homeland Security Department to establish Rx Response,
which will be activated when existing emergency-relief plans and service
programs are disrupted. 

Certain guidelines must be met to activate the system, such as a disaster
declaration by a state's governor or the president. 

Rx Response will provide support to partners, community volunteer relief
organizations, and local, state and federal agencies responding to major
disasters. The Rx Response Web site
<http://e.ccialerts.com/a/hBGxHqbAIyhSgAa0kNPApXY0Y.Aa0kvLvM/cdb13>  allows
consumers to print a wallet-sized card in English or Spanish that includes a
personal list of medications and other important medical information in case
of an emergency. (For more on supply issues during disasters, please see
this week's Special Report
<http://e.ccialerts.com/a/hBGxHqbAIyhSgAa0kNPApXY0Y.Aa0kvLvM/cdb14> .
Registration required.) -- by Jessica Zigmond / HITS staff writer
<mailto:jzigmond at crain.com>