NCJ Number
191824
Journal
Journal of Pharmacy Practice Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2000 Pages: 141-155
Date Published
2000
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article provides pharmacy practitioners with a concise summary and description of the types of pharmaceutical products that a health care facility pharmacy may be asked to provide as part of an overall response to an incident involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Abstract
Recent terrorist acts and hoaxes have heightened awareness that incidents involving weapons of mass destruction (WMD) may occur in the United States. The potential for a terrorist attack using a chemical agent or biological agent has many individuals involved with public health and safety, equipping themselves with information, contingency plans, and procedures to cope with such threats. Information from various governmental and other agencies is available concerning preparedness for a terrorist attack involving nuclear, biological, or chemical (NBC) weapons. This article provides basic information in the following areas: (1) Chemical agents (cyanide, nerve agents, pulmonary or choking agents, blister agents, incapacitating agents, riot control agents); (2) nuclear agents; 3) biological agents bacteria: Anthrax, Brucellosis, Cholera, Pneumonic Plague, Q-Fever, Tularemia; Viruses: Smallpox, Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis, Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers); and (4) toxins: Botulinum, Ricin, Staphylococcus Enterotoxin B, and Trichothecene (T-2) mycotoxins. Any large mass casualty scenario will demand the expertise and professional services of hospital pharmacy. Therefore, pharmacists should equip themselves with knowledge of antidotes, antibiotics, antitoxins, and other supportive agents used to treat casualties and how they might be obtained quickly in the event of an act of terrorism. Currently, there are no guidelines mandating minimum hospital inventory of the pharmaceutical products that may be needed. Pharmacy managers and pharmacy and therapeutics committee members are urged to participate in, or at least be familiar with, plans coordinated through local domestic preparedness programs. References