TY - JOUR
T1 - Disaster Preparedness
T2 - Biological Threats and Treatment Options
AU - Narayanan, Navaneeth
AU - Lacy, Clifton R.
AU - Cruz, Joseph E.
AU - Nahass, Meghan
AU - Karp, Jonathan
AU - Barone, Joseph A.
AU - Hermes-DeSantis, Evelyn R.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Pharmacotherapy Publications, Inc.
PY - 2018/2
Y1 - 2018/2
N2 - Biological disasters can be natural, accidental, or intentional. Biological threats have made a lasting impact on civilization. This review focuses on agents of clinical significance, bioterrorism, and national security, specifically Category A agents (anthrax, botulism, plague, tularemia, and smallpox), as well as briefly discusses other naturally emerging infections of public health significance, Ebola virus (also a Category A agent) and Zika virus. The role of pharmacists in disaster preparedness and disaster response is multifaceted and important. Their expertise includes clinical knowledge, which can aid in drug information consultation, patient-specific treatment decision making, and development of local treatment plans. To fulfill this role, pharmacists must have a comprehensive understanding of medical countermeasures for these significant biological threats across all health care settings. New and reemerging infectious disease threats will continue to challenge the world. Pharmacists will be at the forefront of preparedness and response, sharing knowledge and clinical expertise with responders, official decision makers, and the general public.
AB - Biological disasters can be natural, accidental, or intentional. Biological threats have made a lasting impact on civilization. This review focuses on agents of clinical significance, bioterrorism, and national security, specifically Category A agents (anthrax, botulism, plague, tularemia, and smallpox), as well as briefly discusses other naturally emerging infections of public health significance, Ebola virus (also a Category A agent) and Zika virus. The role of pharmacists in disaster preparedness and disaster response is multifaceted and important. Their expertise includes clinical knowledge, which can aid in drug information consultation, patient-specific treatment decision making, and development of local treatment plans. To fulfill this role, pharmacists must have a comprehensive understanding of medical countermeasures for these significant biological threats across all health care settings. New and reemerging infectious disease threats will continue to challenge the world. Pharmacists will be at the forefront of preparedness and response, sharing knowledge and clinical expertise with responders, official decision makers, and the general public.
KW - biological disasters
KW - biological threats
KW - bioterrorism
KW - emerging infections
KW - infectious diseases
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U2 - 10.1002/phar.2068
DO - 10.1002/phar.2068
M3 - Review article
C2 - 29236288
AN - SCOPUS:85041813385
SN - 0277-0008
VL - 38
SP - 217
EP - 234
JO - Pharmacotherapy
JF - Pharmacotherapy
IS - 2
ER -