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  1. Emergency Preparedness and Response

Public Health Preparedness and Response

The FDA plays a critical role in protecting the United States from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and emerging infectious disease threats. The FDA ensures that medical countermeasures (MCMs)—including drugs, vaccines and diagnostic tests—to counter these threats are safe, effective, and secure.


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Medical Countermeasures (MCM)

Graphic representing history of the FDA Medical Countermeasures Initiative (MCMi)

Medical Countermeasures (MCM)

The FDA coordinates medical countermeasure development, preparedness, and response.
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MCM News and Events

Public health preparedness and response news from the FDA and our partners.

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Pharmacist checking medicine boxes on a shelf, representing expiration date extension. In some cases, testing has shown that certain properly stored medical products can be used beyond their labeled expiration date if they retain their stability.
Pharmacist checking medicine boxes on a shelf, representing expiration date extension. In some cases, testing has shown that certain properly stored medical products can be used beyond their labeled expiration date if they retain their stability.

Expiration Dating Extensions

Information on various expiration dating extension activities, including the Shelf Life Extension Program (SLEP), emergency use authorities and enforcement discretion.
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Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)

The EUA authority allows the FDA to help strengthen the nation’s public health protections against CBRN threats by facilitating the availability and use of MCMs needed during public health emergencies.

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Supply Chain Issues

Learn how the FDA monitors, prevents, and addresses shortages and supply chain disruptions.
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MCM Issues

MCM-related topics, including Ebola, mpox, antimicrobial resistance, and more.

More information from FDA


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