FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                    Contact: Mark Grayson

December 10, 2009                                                                            202-835-3460

Rx Response has launched a partnership with 2-1-1 programs and information and referral services to help promote their Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool during times of national disaster. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects over 14 million callers a year to a full range of social, health and government services in their community. During times of disaster, 2-1-1 plays an instrumental role in disaster response by directing citizens in a disaster area to needed services.

The Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool will provide 2-1-1 information and referral specialists with first-of-its-kind access to information on the closest open pharmacies in a disaster-stricken area. This tool will also be available to more than 1,000 members of the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) which provide specialized information lines for aging, persons with disabilities, child care, people in crisis and the military. 2-1-1 is a nationwide program largely funded by United Way, who has partnered with AIRS to provide this service and build community outreach. 

Linda Daily, Director, 2-1-1 for United Way Worldwide said, “United Way is really pleased to add the Rx Response Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool to our list of 2-1-1 resources to better assist people affected by a disaster.”

Rx Response Director, Erin Mullen, R.Ph., Ph.D. called the Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool one of Rx Response’s greatest contributions to community resiliency in the aftermath of a disaster. “We are very grateful to 2-1-1 for helping to increase awareness of this valuable tool.”

The Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) announced the partnership in the AIRS November 2009 newsletter.  To view this newsletter, please click here.