Rx Response's planning and response activities focus on addressing severe national public health emergencies that arise during or following a natural disaster, pandemic or act of bioterrorism and include international public health considerations that may affect the delivery of critical medicines in the United States.

A public health emergency will be determined on a case-by-case basis by considering if a disaster leads to the occurrence of any of the criteria below:

• Disaster declaration by a Governor or the President; and/or
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Threat Advisory Red/Severe Classification; and/or
• Health and well-being of a significant number of persons is materially threatened or affected; and/or
• Local, regional, national, or global healthcare infrastructure is significantly compromised; and/or
• Ability to provide ample bio-pharmaceuticals in sufficient quantities or in a timely fashion is challenged; and/or
• The underlying disaster dynamics are not quickly or simply resolved (e.g. within several days or through normal business practices by individual companies); and/or
• Requests by the media for information on greater than normal demand or shortages within the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain; and/or
• Other situations warranting a response as determined by the respective decision-making bodies within the represented industry groups.

Rx Response officials are confident that the normal bio-pharmaceutical supply chain is robust and experienced enough to handle most local situations. However, during severe public health emergencies, Rx Response will help facilitate communication throughout the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain to help ensure that patients receive their medicines.

If you are unsure if an emergency has been declared or for more information about current public health emergencies, visit DisasterHelp.gov.