Information
October 2001
Pharmaceuticals being purchased for the National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS)
The following pharmaceutical products are being purchased to enhance the existing stock in the National Emergency Stockpile System.
Antibiotics:
Doxycycline and Cyprofloxin: (tablets and intravenous products) These antibiotics are used to treat people who have been exposed to biological agents including anthrax, plague and tularemia.
Both products are equally effective. If the affected person has a known allergy to one of the antibiotics, the other product would be used.
Doxycycline and Cyprofloxin have been approved for use in Canada and doctors have been routinely been prescribing these antibiotics to treat a variety of infections. However, they have not yet been specifically approved for use in treating anthrax. However, the United States government has approved them for use in that country and both antibiotics have been proven to be effective against biological agents.
Antidotes for Exposure to Chemicals or Gases:
Antidotes for chemicals and gases are being purchased in tablet and autoinjector formats. An autoinjector is similar to an "epi pen" commonly used by persons who have strong allergic reactions to bee stings. Persons such as firefighters or policemen who are exposed to a potential toxic gas or chemical can quickly inject themselves using an autoinjector.
The antidotes being purchased would be used by emergency responders to counteract exposure to nerve agents, such as Sarin, either through inhalation or through exposure on the skin.
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