A release of selected biological or chemical agents targeting the US civilian population will require rapid access to large quantities of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies. Such quantities may not be readily available unless special stockpiles are created. No one can anticipate exactly where a terrorist will strike and few state or local governments have the resources to create sufficient stockpiles on their own. Therefore, a national stockpile has been created as a resource for all.
As part of the Department of Health and Human Services 1999 Bioterrorism Initiative, the CDC was designated to lead an effort working with governmental and non-governmental partners to upgrade the nations' public health capacity to respond to biological and chemical terrorism and establish a Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Program. Developing a sufficient capacity at federal, state, and local levels is critical to the success of this initiative.
The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Program is an essential response component of the CDC's larger Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Initiative. For more information, see the CDC
