| The Business Planning for Pandemic Summit
was an opportunity for international leaders to gather and
discuss the threat of an avian flu pandemic. In attendance
was the International Association of Medicinal Compliance,
a non-profit organization dedicated to the betterment of public
health through better adherence to medicine. Conclusions from
the Summit showed that most Americans feel that the nation
is unprepared for a country-wide pandemic.
 Bethesda,
MD (PRWEB) March 18, 2006 - Recently, the International
Association of Medicinal Compliance (IAMC) was in attendance
at the Business Planning for Pandemic Summit, a national summit
with a participation of over 250 people representing 195 organizations
and 40 states. Hosted by the Center for Infectious Disease
Research and Planning (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota,
the Summit provided an opportunity for companies from industries
in all sectors to come together and discuss the threat of
an avian flu pandemic. Attendees heard presentations that
addressed legal, healthcare, infrastructure, human resource,
transportation and government support issues that affect companies
in all industries. Across the two-day meeting, participants
were given the chance to discuss specific industry needs and
begin plans for continuity during an influenza pandemic. Alarmingly,
53% of participants feel the government is not well-prepared.
As such, 76% say that social unrest and disruption will occur
if a pandemic does occur.
In the event of a pandemic, it will be imperative to public
health and order to develop effective and timely influenza
plans. As the nation learned in the case of 9/11 and Hurricane
Katrina, the government, on both state and federal levels
needs to be prepared for a worst-case scenario situation,
or else it will inevitably be unprepared. The Summit was designed
to enable business leaders, government officials, business-related
organization officials and media to identify their roles and
responsibilities in defining and executing a preparedness
plan. In doing so, these leaders focused on critical risk
assessment and mitigation, public policy, legal, supply chain
and human resource planning for business continuity during
a pandemic. Featured speakers included Michael Leavitt, the
US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Osterholm,
the Director of CIDRAP,Ted Koppel, former anchor and managing
editor of Nightline and ABC News and Tommy Thompson, the former
US Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Surprisingly, most of these participants, who are heavily
associated with government functions, seemed disheartened
by and weary of the government’s avian flu preparedness.
According to Arne Carlson, the former governor of Minnesota,
“We have not seen an acceptable government response…
We only have the ability to handle tragedies with good leadership.”
He goes on to add, “The leadership needs to get out
in front and say, ‘Here’s what affects us. Here’s
how much it costs’.” Similarly, Osterholm worries,
“SARS happened in the speed of hours/days and that was
a smaller scale than this. This could happen overnight.”
73% of participants felt that government intervention would
have a major impact on their business. Accordingly, 67% felt
that developing relationships with state and local officials
at this time would be essential to offsetting the detriment
that a pandemic could cause. However, only 15% of respondents
and their organizations had actually contacted the government
on the issue surrounding a national pandemic. This signals
that not only the government, but also organizations and citizens
need to actively engage in defining and executing a pandemic
preparedness plan. As Carlson said, “It’d be wonderful
if everyone could go home after this conference and write
a letter to both the President and then the governor of their
state, asking them for these answers.”
The IAMC
is currently partnering with FLAVORx, Inc to provide
actionable and feasible solutions to encourage and ensure
that Americans take their medicine properly. By offering a
scientifically tested and specifically developed medicinal
flavoring to combat the bitter taste of antiviral drugs such
as Tamiflu®, children and adults alike will be able to
swallow liquid medications without struggle. Studies show
that children are highly susceptible to infection, with about
45% of school-age children catching influenza during an epidemic.
Children then, play a significant role in viral transmission
and spread of infection. For an extremely minimal cost, government
officials will be able to stockpile flavorings to guarantee
near 100% medicinal compliance, thereby preventing the emergence
of resistant flu strains, persistent symptoms, harmful side
effects, and even mortality as a result of taking medication
improperly.
To see how your opinions match up and view a sampling of
the Summit’s most pressing questions and concerns, please
go to
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=530021916553. For
more information on the International Association of Medicinal
Compliance and its efforts to effectively manage a potential
avian flu pandemic, please contact Gunjan Koul
at 800.884.5771, ext 230.
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