Public Engagement on Facilitating Access to Antiviral Medications and Information in an Influenza Pandemic: Workshop Series Summary

In Response To A Request From The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (cdc), The Institute Of Medicine's (iom's) Forum On Medical And Public Health Preparedness For Catastrophic Events (preparedness Forum) Designed And Convened A Series Of Workshops (community Conversations) That Explored The Public's Perception Of Potential Alternative Strategies For Facilitating Access To Antiviral Medications And Treatment Advice During An Influenza Pandemic. Based On Its Statement Of Task (box 1) The Workshop Planning Committee Convened Members Of The General Public In Three Locations--fort Benton, Montana (mt), Chattanooga, Tennessee (tn), And Los Angeles, California (ca)--during February And March 2012 To Consider The Acceptability Of Several Alternative Strategies Of Delivering Antiviral Medication To The Public During A Pandemic. These Discussions Will Help To Inform Potential Strategies Still In The Development Stages At The Cdc. The Public Was Asked To Consider, If An Influenza Pandemic Were To Strike, How The Normal Systems For Prescribing And Dispensing Antiviral Medications Could Be Adjusted To Ensure That The Public Has Quick, Safe, And Equitable Access To These Potentially Lifesaving Drugs And To Information About The Pandemic And Treatment Options. Barbara Fain, Kristin Viswanathan, And Bruce M. Altevogt, Rapporteurs. Includes Bibliographical References. This Study Was Supported By Contracts Between The National Academy Of Sciences And The American College Of Emergency Physicians; The American Hospital Association; The American Medical Association; The American Nurses Association; The Association Of State And Territorial Health Officials; The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention (contract No. 200-2005-13434 To #6); The Department Of The Army (contract No. W81xwh-08-p-0934); The Department Of Health And Human Services' National Institutes Of Health (contract No. N01-od-4-2139 To #198 And To #244); The Department Of Health And Human Services' Office Of The Assistant Secretary For Preparedness And Response (contract Nos. Hhsp233200900680p, Hhs P23320042509x1); The Department Of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (contract No. Hsfehq-08-p-1800); The Department Of Homeland Security's Office Of Health Affairs (contract No. Hshqdc-07-c-00097); The Department Of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (contract No. Dtnh22-10-h-00287); The Department Of Veterans Affairs (contract No. V101(93)p-2136 To #10); The Emergency Nurses Association; The National Association Of Chain Drug Stores; The National Association Of County And City Health Officials; The National Association Of Emergency Medical Technicians; The Pharmaceutical Research And Manufacturers Of America; The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; And The United Health Foundation.