Ebola virus disease: roles and considerations for pharmacists

Ebola virus disease (EVD) poses significant clinical care implications for pharmacists. Emergency preparedness efforts should be undertaken to ensure vital response to EVD. Pharmacists should consider factors such as enhanced use of resources for front-line EVD patient care along with procurement of investigational medications. Appropriate and timely preparation, distribution, and administration of treatment for patients with EVD in the setting of substantial critical illness as well as infection control measures are essential. Aggressive supportive care and early, goal-directed therapy are cornerstones of therapy, whereas investigational treatments for EVD will likely play a larger, more well-defined role as future clinical trials are conducted.