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The Ethics of Personal Stockpiles
- John G. Bartlett, MD; and
- Frederick G. Hayden, MD
- From Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville, VA 22908.
IN RESPONSE:
In our editorial, we stated that personal stockpiles of antiviral agents may make “good sense.” Dr. Rolfsen makes a now more obvious point about the problem of drug shortage in the event of widespread procurement of personal stockpiles. This is an issue that has become the subject of some substantial analysis and concern since our editorial was submitted. We agree with Dr. Rolfsen and with the position statement of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (http://www.idsociety.org), which advises against personal stockpiling of these drugs. The possible need for personal stockpiles was mitigated when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that 1 goal of its new pandemic plan is to obtain sufficient drugs to treat 25% of the population (1), although an even higher target should be considered.
In the near term, health care institution stockpiling remains appropriate because it targets drug availability to the 2 groups that are highest in the National Vaccine Advisory Committee/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices prioritization scheme: hospitalized patients and health care workers.
Frederick G. Hayden, MD
University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Article and Author Information
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Potential Financial Conflicts of Interest: None disclosed.
