What is the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS)?

Have you ever wondered how the general public would receive care if a major pandemic or bio-terror attack took place? The answer lies with the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). This stockpile is a national repository consisting of antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life support medications, and other medical/surgical items used during an incident, such as a bio terrorist attack, pandemic, or disaster where there is a depletion of local or state pharmaceutical supplies. The stockpiles are held in repositories located in strategic areas across the United States. The program is managed by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and supported by the Department of Health and Human Services. The SNS mission is to provide medications or vaccinations to a community within approximately 48 hours.

Examples of where the Strategic National Stockpile has been used to assist the public in time of need include the attacks of September 11, 2001, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the H1N1 pandemic in 2009. Without SNS, many people may not have received the medications or medical supplies needed to save lives.

Activation of SNS usually takes place after a request from a state governor or their designee during a bio terrorist attack or when other unusual patterns of disease have been identified and pose an eminent threat to the public. It is important to understand that SNS is not deployed immediately, but is used to support state and local response. SNS is used as a supplement or to resupply state and local inventories of medical supplies and vaccines when needed. If SNS did not exist, it would be possible for vaccines and medical supplies to run out during times of crisis without any way of getting more.

When SNS is activated, the general public will normally get the supplies they need through what is called a Point of Distribution (POD). A POD is a predetermined location used for the mass dispensing of the medication or supplies to people who are in need. Depending on the size of the area affected, there may be only one POD or there could be multiple PODs provided at different locations.

In order to keep from overwhelming these PODs that are open to the public, utilizing what is called a “Closed POD” may be necessary. A closed POD is usually reserved for very large businesses or government entities and is not open to the general public. The medicine is delivered to the actual location of the business, etc. to be dispensed to its employees on site.

The Strategic National Stockpile is extremely important in assuring critical medicines and medical supplies are available to citizens in any area of the United States in a timely manner. During terror attacks, disasters, pandemics, or any other times of crisis, the SNS is a lifesaving resource.