Rx Response opens membership to individual companies in bio-pharmaceutical supply chain

WASHINGTON — Rx Response earlier this week established a new membership structure that will enable individual companies in the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain to become direct members.

The move opens the door for individual companies to enhance their disaster preparedness and response capabilities by tapping Rx Response’s accurate and timely information, direct support during disasters, government relationships and industry networking. Individual supply chain companies that join Rx Response also will increase the program’s situational awareness by providing a broader source of reports about the impact of a disaster on the supply chain members.

Rx Response provides a platform through which the entire bio-pharmaceutical supply system can easily communicate to coordinate pre-disaster planning and post-disaster response. Rx Response also serves as a single point of contact through which government officials and supply chain members can liaise to share information and address challenges impacting the supply system. 

“We’re very excited to begin recruiting individual supply chain members to join Rx Response,” said Rx Response executive director Erin Mullen. “Many of the companies we’ll be talking with have already invested in disaster planning, but their active involvement in Rx Response will significantly boost their readiness. It will also open new doors for them to work with federal and state officials who can help companies address challenges posed by large-scale disasters," she said. "At the same time, adding supply chain companies to our roster will significantly boost the situational awareness we can rely on in the supply chain and offer to our government partners. This will allow federal and state officials to make more informed decisions about where to direct resources in a disaster to help address any threats to the bio-pharmaceutical supply chain.”

In addition to restructuring its membership, Rx Response also announced today that it has received official approval from the IRS for its application to become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The approval will make it easier for Foundations, non-profit organizations and government agencies to provide grants to Rx Response. The 501(c)(3) designation will not change the operational components of the program, and government officials will still be able to participate at no cost.

Initial members of the newly formed Rx Response Board of Directors include:

• Phyllis Arthur, senior director for vaccines, immunotherapeutics and diagnostics policy for Biotechnology Industry Organization;


• Perry Fri, EVP industry relations, membership and education for the Healthcare Distribution Management Association;


• Kathleen Jaeger, SVP pharmacy care and patient advocacy for the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and president of the NACDS Foundation;


• Mary Lockyear, manager of disaster health services for the American Red Cross;


• Del Persinger, EVP and CFO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America;


• Christine Simmon, SVP policy and strategic alliances for the Generic Pharmaceutical Association of America; and


• Erin Mullen executive director of Rx Response.