The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act Q&As - The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (“PREP Act”) enacted as Division C of the Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-148, added new authorities under the Public Health Service (PHS) Act to alleviate concerns about liability related to the manufacture, testing, development, distribution, administration and use of countermeasures against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents of terrorism, epidemics, and pandemics. Questions have arisen from the manufacturing industry and the healthcare community regarding the scope of protections available under the PREP Act.
Public Health Emergency Q&As - Under section 319 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”) can declare a public health emergency (“PHE”). Questions have arisen from states, political subdivisions, and the healthcare community regarding PHE declarations.