Pharmacies are a critical component of the biopharmaceutical supply system. They are the customer-facing frontline with the responsibility for actually filling customer prescriptions. It is extremely important that pharmacists are knowledgeable about a disaster’s impact on public health within a given area, as specific knowledge may change how they perform their jobs, in addition to the possibility that customers may look to them for information.

Two key Rx Response members that are critical to the coordination with pharmacies are the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) and the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). These two organizations were invited to join Rx Response in order to represent pharmacies across the United States, as well as enable Rx Response to reach out to as many pharmacies as possible quickly and efficiently. Additional partners with whom Rx Response works to discuss and address pharmaceutical issues include the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA), the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP), and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHSP).

Rx Response has developed an online information-sharing and problem-solving forum, InfoCenter, to enable all participants in the biopharmaceutical supply system, as well as local/state/federal agencies and emergency responders, to register and access the site. However, given the vast number of pharmacists nationwide, Rx Response has also developed a page, titled Emergency Management Community to enable the EM Community to view a situation report and pharmacy status reporting without requiring a log in to InfoCenter. This page provides information relevant to this community. EM community members are encouraged to email alerts@rxresponse.org if key information is not provided or additional information is needed.