Pharmacy Preparedness for Incidents Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS): The Pharmacist's Role

“…Pharmacy preparedness for management of crises from attacks of weapons of mass destruction and bioterrorism has been documented. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] However, significant differences exist between the terrorism type of crisis and the SARS crisis, and generalization to management of SARS is not possible. Nevertheless, both types of crises invoke the expertise of pharmacists in providing direct and indirect patient care under stressful conditions.…”

“…We need to follow the example of pharmacy preparedness for handling attacks of bioterrorism or weapons of mass destruction. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20] No specific requirements or regulations address the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists during an outbreak of a communicable disease or an attack of terrorism. The time has come for the profession to collectively develop an approach for pharmacy preparedness at the local, regional, and national levels.…”

“…Guidelines and recommendations for preparedness in these situations have been published. 13,14 The role and importance of pharmacists in contributing to terrorism preparedness have been described. [14][15][16][17][18] Based on our experience during two SARS crises in Toronto, we have found that every health care worker clearly plays an important role in providing care to patients with SARS.…”

“…13,14 The role and importance of pharmacists in contributing to terrorism preparedness have been described. [14][15][16][17][18] Based on our experience during two SARS crises in Toronto, we have found that every health care worker clearly plays an important role in providing care to patients with SARS. Pharmacists should take inventory of the challenges presented and actions taken, and determine the roles and responsibilities they must assume during future outbreaks of SARS or other communicable diseases.…”

Pharmacists’ Roles in Post-September 11th Disasters

“…3 Multiple reports describe the utility of traditional and expanded activities of pharmacy practice in a variety of natural and man-made disasters, with the pool of published articles continuing to increase. 5 –48 As Cohen notes, however, little attention has been given to characterizing the roles of pharmacists in disasters although the importance of pharmacists’ involvement is widely acknowledged. 5 In fact, no report to date has been published that both characterizes the roles pharmacists have assumed in disasters and clarifies the types of roles that may be less well-documented in the pharmacy literature.…”