Originally Published IVD Technology July/August 2002
Industry News
Bioterrorism preparedness act approved
Jamie Graham
The Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 was signed by President Bush on June 12. The new law is intended to increase the preparedness and response capability of the U.S. public health system for a bioterrorist event and public health emergency. It includes provisions to improve the health system’s ability to respond to bioterrorism, protect the nation’s food supply and drinking water from bioterrorist attacks, speed the development and production of new drug treatments and vaccines, and address shortages of specific types of health professionals.
The act designates $450 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; Atlanta) to expand its facilities and create a national laboratory network for public and private healthcare entities, including clinical laboratories. More than $1.5 billion is allocated to obtain the appropriate equipment, personnel, and training for healthcare facilities to deal with a national emergency.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS; Washington, DC) must periodically evaluate new and emerging technologies that are designed to improve and enhance the ability of public health or safety officials to conduct public health surveillance activities relating to bioterrorist attacks or other public health emergencies. A system of public health alert communications and surveillance networks is to be formed by HHS among public health officials, public and private health-related laboratories, and other healthcare facilities.
The law also amends the Public Health Service Act to increase control of certain biological agents and requires registration with HHS for the possession, use, and transfer of listed agents and toxins. However, clinical and diagnostic laboratories can receive exemptions provided they report the identification of such agents and toxins and destroy the agents in accordance with HHS regulations.
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