WASHINGTON, DC -- (Marketwire) -- 10/30/12 -- Rx Response, an initiative of America's bio-pharmaceutical supply system to help ensure the continued flow of medicine to patients in a severe public health emergency, has moved to its highest alert status as Hurricane Sandy prepares to make landfall along the New Jersey coast.
In addition to elevating to Engaged status, Rx Response has activated its Pharmacy Status Reporting Tool (PSRT). The PSRT is an online program that allows emergency managers and the public to readily locate open pharmacies in communities that have been impacted by severe weather or other events (www.rxresponse.org). Early reports of Hurricane Sandy's impacts on the health care system indicate several nursing home evacuations in New York and the evacuation of an acute care hospital in New Jersey.
In addition to monitoring the PSRT, Rx Response officials are urging citizens who may need to evacuate due to Hurricane Sandy to visit www.RxResponse.org to fill out a printable, wallet-size prescription medication card. The medication card includes information about current medications, medical conditions and contact information for doctors, pharmacists and emergency contacts. This information can prove especially helpful if evacuees need to fill prescriptions at out of town pharmacies.
Rx Response is a single point of contact for the entire bio-pharmaceutical supply system and relies on a robust network that allows federal and state emergency management officials to communicate with Rx Response regarding pharmaceutical needs and other issues which may impact the supply system. The communications are actively monitored by all segments of the pharmaceutical supply system to ensure the fastest possible resolution.
Rx Response was developed in response to Hurricane Katrina and the threat of pandemic influenza. Its members include:
- American Hospital Association (AHA)
- American Red Cross
- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
- Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPHA)
- Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA)
- National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
- National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
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Contact:
Grady Forrer
202-835-3460