This document outlines an assignment to research and analyze the role of federal agencies in developing medical countermeasures (MCM) through the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE). Students are asked to select one participating PHEMCE agency and describe its role in MCM development for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive (CBRNE) threats. They should also discuss partnerships and preparedness planning related to acquiring and distributing the selected MCM. The goal is to analyze challenges in planning and preparedness for MCM response.

1. Unit 4, Item 2: Public Health Medical Countermeasures
Assignment Objectives
:
Describe how biosecurity is used to prepare for and mitigate
against biological threats. Explore and discuss the policies
concerning development of medical countermeasures (MCM)
and how the limitations of dual-use dilemma are addressed
through the Public Health Medical Countermeasures Enterprise
(PHEMCE) strategy.
Assignment
:
This assignment should take about 3 hours to complete. The
assignment is worth 25 Points
Learning Outcome
:
This assignment addresses Learning Outcome 4. Students will
be able to analyze disaster-related issues and problems and
demonstrate knowledge of resources, response and recovery
capabilities, and mitigation measures appropriate for addressing
disasters.
Katz (2013) discusses in Chapter 8 the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) Centers of Excellence and the Public Health
Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE).
Select and study one of the PHEMCE participating federal
agencies and describe its role in development of a Medical
Countermeasure (MCM). Feel free to target an agency for your
study within the mother agency to track its role such as
DHHS/ASPR’s BARDA (Biomedical Advanced Research &
Development Authority).
Go to the PHEMCE webpage and browse the latest
announcements. Click (right menu – Popular Links/PHEMCE),
the PHEMCE link to review those federal agencies involved in
MCM development. Also see Strategies & Reports for
background, strategies and CBRNE-specific development within
the PHEMCE program. Select one agency and study its role in

2. MCM development.
Write a 500-word essay and cite the references in APA style.
Use outline below as topics to guide development of your essay
from your research.
Background:
What is the role of the PHEMCE agency in the MCM program?
Select one CBRN and describe the agency’s role in the
PHEMCE/CBRNE development process.
Explore and describe the application of PHEMCE agency’s role
in CBRNE development, production and/or distribution?
Preparedness Planning:
As an emergency manager (county or state), who is your partner
agency (s) in acquiring and deploying the CBRN of your
research study? Describe briefly, each partner agency’s role.
How will you ensure your jurisdiction is ready to activate for
distribution for this particular medical countermeasure?
Conclusion: What challenges remain in planning and
preparedness?
Readings:
Katz, R., Chapter 8, The Research Agenda, Essentials of Public
Health Preparedness, Jones & Bartlett Learning, Burlington,
2013.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US DHHS)
(2016).
PHEMCE Medical Countermeasures.com
.