Rx Response’s planning and response activities focus on threats to the flow of medicine that could arise during or following a major natural disaster, pandemic or act of terrorism. Rx Response also monitors international disasters that may affect the delivery of critical medicines in the United States.
While the normal bio-pharmaceutical supply chain has proven to be very resilient in disasters, Rx Response stands ready to activate whenever there is a wide-spread impact or potential impact to the supply chain. Activation is determined on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to whether a disaster triggers any of the criteria below:
- Disaster declaration by a Governor or the President
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Threat Advisory Red/Severe Classification
- Health and well-being of a significant number of persons is materially threatened or affected
- Local, regional, national, or global healthcare infrastructure is significantly compromised
- Ability to provide ample bio-pharmaceuticals in sufficient quantities or in a timely fashion is challenged
- The underlying disaster dynamics are not quickly or simply resolved (e.g. within several days or through normal business practices by individual companies)
- Requests by the media for information on greater than normal demand or shortages within the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain
- Other situations warranting a response as determined by the respective decision-making bodies within the represented industry groups