RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – Federal officials are asking pharmaceutical and related companies in North and South Carolina and Virginia for help in quickly identifying anything in the sector that could potentially encounter disruptions from Hurricane Dorian.
John Sellers, a program analyst with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Division of Critical Infrastructure Protection, issued the request Wednesday for “Hurricane Dorian supply chain impact assessments.” He sent the request broadly to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and numerous other organizations that work with pharmaceutical manufacturers and related companies. The North Carolina Biotechnology Center is forwarding the request.
“In efforts to ensure a full common operating picture for response to Hurricane Dorian, we are reaching out to request products that could inform our awareness of biomedical facilities within the potential impact areas,” said Sellers’ email.
“During Hurricane Florence last year, we received some terrific listings for such facilities in North Carolina, and it was very helpful in informing our supply chain impact assessments. For full team awareness, please send any inputs to our resource mailbox cip@hhs.gov.
“Additionally, we would be happy to add representatives of your organizations to our daily response bulletins if requested. Thank you very much for your consideration.”
Sellers is associated with HHS’ Office of Security, Intel, and Information Management within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
(C) N.C. Biotech Center
