Development of a Pharmacy Point-of-Dispensing Toolkit for Anthrax Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Allegheny County...

Area of Science:

• Public Health Preparedness
• Emergency Medicine
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Anthrax is recognized as a potential threat to US Postal Service (USPS) workers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USPS.
• A county health department pharmacy supports local USPS response efforts during anthrax exposure incidents.
• There was a recognized need to update the existing local anthrax response plan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Pharmacy Point-of-Dispensing (POD) Toolkit and response plan for antibiotic prophylaxis following a mass anthrax exposure at a USPS facility.
• To outline the role of pharmacists in medical countermeasures planning for anthrax exposure events.
• To utilize the CDC's Public Health Preparedness Capabilities framework for developing the response plan.

Main Methods:

• A Medical Countermeasures Response Plan and Implementation Toolkit for mass point-of-dispensing were developed.
• The development process utilized the CDC's Public Health Preparedness Capabilities framework and input from an interprofessional stakeholder team.
• Stakeholder input was gathered through a USPS Community Partner Training event for toolkit refinement.

Main Results:

• A Pharmacy Point-of-Dispensing Toolkit and response plan were created for a 10-day antibiotic prophylaxis period.
• The toolkit and standing order have been implemented at the local health department.
• The plan is now subject to annual review and updates by health department leadership.

Conclusions:

• Pharmacists' medication expertise is crucial for designing effective emergency response plans, enhancing patient safety and medication adherence.
• Pharmacists should be integral members of emergency response and medical countermeasures planning teams.
• The developed toolkit provides a framework for local health departments to manage mass anthrax exposure events involving USPS.