We have come a long way since the start of the pandemic. We now have a suite of important tools to keep us safe--all currently provided free of charge to those that need them. We have three authorized and two approved vaccines that protect us from severe disease and hospitalization. We have six different therapies that help treat and speed the recovery of those that become sick. We have rapid tests that can be performed in our own homes in 15 minutes.  And we have high quality American-made N95 masks available for free to all who would like them.  As we continue to respond to the current pandemic, we must also ensure that we are prepared and have the right tools available for future outbreaks and public health emergencies.

Today we took a step forward in bolstering our preparedness by relaunching the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise, or PHEMCE. The PHEMCE was established in 2006 to advance the country’s preparedness against chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats, and emerging infectious disease preparedness. The PHEMCE is a multi-sector partnership of federal, state, local, tribal, academic, private industry, and non-governmental organizations that advise the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on medical countermeasures (MCM) that may be used to protect the American people during a public health emergency.

An important part of the PHEMCE is the advisory council, which is made up of senior government officials from nine federal agencies.  The PHEMCE advisory council provides the HHS Secretary with strategic advice on capabilities to have and use medical countermeasures – vaccines, drugs, tests, devices, and more – to respond to public health emergencies. During today’s meeting we had a chance to hear from Secretary Becerra on his medical countermeasure priorities, engage with our federal partners, and begin discussing critical medical countermeasure recommendations and priorities for the Strategic National Stockpile.

Today is an important milestone in our effort to be prepared for whatever comes next. I am grateful for the collaboration of our interagency partners and look forward to sharing updates in the months to come.