In the near future, I will be introducing legislation that requires the Department of Health (DOH) to create a program for the establishment of an emergency stockpile and the procurement of emergency countermeasures.  To do so, the Department will issue requests for proposals and contract with a third-party entity to conduct this program.

Under this program, the third-party entity will obtain various emergency stockpile supplies, such as antibiotics, blood products, medical devices, medicines, and personal protective equipment.  This entity will oversee the stockpile, including procuring supplies, disposing of expired materials, and storing supplies in a warehouse under the control of the Commonwealth. 

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed many deficiencies in our response to public health emergencies.  It is imperative that the Commonwealth is better prepared for the next pandemic.  One step in that direction is procuring necessary supplies when those supplies are more readily available.  By having an adequate supply for an emergency stockpile, we will be able to respond to the next pandemic in an efficient manner, thus better protecting the health and safety of the citizens of this Commonwealth.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 3206: 35-73