| Presenting ideas and initiatives in federal agencies that entail collaborative effort, could serve as a model for others, or represent a new and exciting approach to some aspect of healthcare. From BARDA
CBRN Medical Countermeasures Stockpile Program
Since the enactment of the Project BioShield (PBS) Act of 2004, BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority) has awarded nine contracts for late-stage  development and acquisition of CBRN medical countermeasures. Eight of these medical countermeasures have been successfully delivered to the Strategic National Stockpile. Medical countermeasures that have been procured thus far under Project BioShield include anthrax vaccine, two anthrax antitoxins, heptavalent botulinum antitoxin, smallpox vaccine for immunocompromised individuals, and radionucleotide chelators (liquid potassium iodide for pediatric use and Ca++ and Zn++ DTPA).
Most recently, BARDA awarded a PBS contract for late-stage development and procurement of 1.7 million doses of smallpox antiviral drugs. Together with the other medical countermeasures against smallpox already in the Strategic National Stockpile, this product will provide a complete repertoire of products to allow HHS to respond effectively in the event of a smallpox virus release.
Other medical countermeasures of interest for procurement under PBS in the near future are for treatment of acute radiation syndrome associated neutropenia, chemical threats and radiation-induced thermal burns. |
Mobile and wireless technologies hold promise of transforming health care from the perspective of both patients and providers. However, significant challenges must be met to reap the full benefits of these technologies, including development of standards for exchange of data and open-source software development. These challenges, and others, were explored in an IFHC roundtable discussion.
