HHS issues guidance on antiviral drug use
HHS issues guidance on antiviral drug use
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued its guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for pandemic influenza in December 2008, suggesting that health care workers and emergency services personnel who could have direct contact with individuals who are ill during a pandemic should be protected.
According to the HHS, those health care workers and emergency personnel should be protected with antiviral drugs throughout the pandemic even before such workers are exposed or become ill themselves.
"As guidance, this document does not create a requirement; rather, it defines a prudent strategy for antiviral drug stockpiling and use that can contribute to a more effective pandemic response," the document states.
The new guidance replaces the recommendations from 2005 published as part of the HHS pandemic influenza plan.
According to the document, while current antiviral drug use strategies and publicly maintained stockpiles are "targeted primarily for treatment of persons with pandemic illness, expanded antiviral drug production has allowed additional strategies to be considered."
Importantly, in addition to the Strategic National Stockpile, the guidance suggests that private employers should play an important role in protecting their employees during a pandemic flu outbreak.
"In addition to the national recommendations on treatment and prophylaxis, businesses that provide goods or services essential to community health, safety, or well-being ("critical infrastructure" sectors) should strongly consider antiviral prophylaxis for critical workers as part of comprehensive pandemic preparedness planning, especially those workers who are individually critical and whose absence would jeopardize provision of critical services," the document states.
Other employers should consider antiviral prophylaxis to "maintain business continuity or protect employees," the document states.
Noting ethical dilemmas associated with prophylaxis, in some instances, the document states that "treatment is preferred to prophylaxis in settings of limited antiviral drug supply; targeting some antiviral drug supply for prophylaxis and prioritizing treatment for certain groups would raise significant ethical and logistical challenges."
Etthical Principles Considered in Developing Guidance The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued its guidance on the use of antiviral drugs for pandemic influenza in December 2008, suggesting that health care workers and emergency services personnel who could have direct contact with individuals who are ill during a pandemic should be protected.Subscribe Now for Access
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