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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
06:59
A Novel Approach for the Administration of Medications and Fluids in Emergency Scenarios and Settings
Published on: November 9, 2016
A PHS pharmacist team's response to Hurricane Katrina
Lydia Velazquez1, Scott Dallas, Lisa Rose
1Office of Clinical Pharmacology and Biopharmaceutics, Division of Pharmaceutical Evaluation I, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20903, USA. lydia.velazquez@fda.hhs.gov
Summary
Public Health Service pharmacists established critical pharmacy services and conducted outreach missions following Hurricane Katrina. They overcame challenges like medication shortages and dispensing complexities to aid disaster victims.
Area of Science:
- Disaster pharmacy operations
- Public health emergency response
- Federal medical station management
Background:
- Hurricane Katrina caused catastrophic damage to the Gulf Coast in 2005.
- A federal medical station was established in Meridian, Mississippi, to provide care to displaced individuals.
- Pharmacy operations were crucial for supporting the medical station and affected populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the challenges and successes of establishing pharmacy operations during a federal medical station deployment.
- To detail the experiences of Public Health Service pharmacists in disaster response.
- To outline the execution of pharmaceutical outreach missions in a post-hurricane environment.
Main Methods:
- Deployment of a Public Health Service pharmacist team to a federal medical station.
- Establishment of pharmacy services, including medication procurement and dispensing systems.
- Implementation of outreach programs to support military personnel and a local free clinic.
Main Results:
- Successfully established a functional pharmacy within a federal medical station.
- Managed significant challenges including medication shortages and controlled substance dispensing.
- Provided pharmaceutical care and support to over 800 displaced military personnel and local clinic patients.
- Successfully conducted two distinct outreach missions to augment existing healthcare services.
Conclusions:
- Public Health Service pharmacists played a vital role in post-Hurricane Katrina disaster relief.
- Pharmacy teams can effectively establish and operate services in austere, resource-limited environments.
- Outreach initiatives by pharmacists are essential for expanding healthcare access during emergencies.
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