One key component of the nation's medical response infrastructure is the SNS. Recent emergencies have highlighted the importance of preparedness. As such, HHS is working to develop a strategic plan to guide future SNS efforts. The COVID-19 response has also been a catalyst for HHS to re-examine SNS operations, including the role, responsibilities, expertise, and inventory needed moving forward. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SNS did not hold these medical countermeasures. In response to recommendations from HHS, ASPR also took steps to add testing supplies to the SNS inventory in late 2020, including nasal swabs and transfer media. Obligations Using COVID-19 Relief Funds for COVID-19 Supplies Delivered to the Strategic National Stockpile, Fiscal Years 20Īdditionally, the SNS inventory now contains additional finished pharmaceutical products, such as sedatives for use with ventilators. For example, most of the funding went toward ventilators and personal protective equipment, which resulted in substantial increases in the amount of these medical countermeasures in the SNS relative to what was held prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HHS obligated $6.1 billion in COVID-19 relief funds for supplies for the SNS that significantly increased the amount of certain medical countermeasures and expanded the types of countermeasures in the SNS inventory. Without an approach for regularly managing risks, HHS and Congress lack assurance the department is most effectively preparing for public health emergencies. Risk management principles include guidance related to the management and communication of risk. However, the reviews lack key information needed for managing these risks and communicating them to stakeholders, including to Congress. HHS officials noted that gaps in quantities are due to budget constraints and acknowledge these gaps present risks. GAO's analysis of SNS reviews shows the SNS contained most medical countermeasure types recommended, but often not in the recommended quantities. Obligations from Non COVID-19 Appropriations for Strategic National Stockpile from Fiscal Years 2015 through 2021 Until HHS updates its procedures, the agency risks not meeting the statutory requirements designed to give Congress additional information about the SNS inventory.įrom fiscal years 2015 through 2021, HHS obligated nearly $5 billion in non COVID-19 appropriations to purchase medical countermeasures, mostly for anthrax and smallpox.
#Stockpile reports update#
However, these reviews did not meet most statutory requirements-such as by including the amount of additional medical countermeasures procured-because HHS did not update its procedures to account for changes enacted in 2019. HHS has since completed reviews to inform inventory decisions for fiscal years 20. This process was suspended when the expert group underwent a reorganization, and annual reviews were not completed to inform inventory decisions for fiscal years 2020 through 2022, resulting in purchases based on past reviews and HHS discretion.
GAO reported in August 2022 that to guide inventory purchases from 2015 through 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) used a multi-step process involving interagency experts, resulting in annual SNS reviews with inventory recommendations. The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a multibillion dollar inventory of drugs, vaccines, supplies, and other medical countermeasures that can be used in emergencies.
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