Rx Response Raised to 'Alert Status' in Response to Growing Swine Flu Threat

WASHINGTON, April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rx Response, an unprecedented
partnership created to help ensure the continued flow of medicines to patients
in a severe public health emergency, has been put on Alert Status as concerns
grow over the health threat posed by outbreaks of swine flu in the United
States.

"Americans need to know that the medicines they rely on will be available even
in an emergency," said Billy Tauzin, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical
Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), a member of Rx Response. "Rx
Response provides federal and state crisis managers with the critical
information they need about the pharmaceutical supply chain to help
communities affected by an emergency return to normal as quickly as possible."

Alert Status means that Rx Response members are now closely monitoring
developing information regarding influenza cases detected in the United States
and are working with local, state and federal health authorities to help
ensure the continued efficient functioning of the nation's pharmaceutical
supply chain.

Over the past 48 hours, Rx Response officials have been in contact with
federal and state health officials to share information about the
pharmaceutical supply system's pandemic response capabilities.

For the most up to date information on the status of the swine flu influenza
investigation, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/ .
Rx Response was developed more than 2 years ago in response to Hurricane
Katrina and the threat of pandemic influenza. Rx Response members include:
-- American Hospital Association (AHA)
-- American Red Cross
-- Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO)
-- Generic Pharmaceutical Association (GPhA)
-- Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA)
-- National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
-- National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
-- Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

Rx Response is a single point of contact for the entire pharmaceutical supply
system and relies on a robust network that allows federal and state emergency
management officials to communicate with Rx Response regarding pharmaceutical
needs and other issues which may impact the supply system. The communications
are actively monitored by all segments of the pharmaceutical supply system to
ensure the fastest possible resolution.
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents
the country's leading pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies,
which are devoted to inventing medicines that allow patients to live longer,
healthier, and more productive lives. PhRMA companies are leading the way in
the search for new cures. PhRMA members alone invested an estimated $50.3
billion in 2008 in discovering and developing new medicines. Industry-wide
research and investment reached a record $65.2 billion in 2008.

PhRMA Internet Address: http://www.phrma.org
For information on stories of hope and survival, visit:
http://sharingmiracles.com/
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, visit:
http://www.innovation.org
For information on the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, visit:
http://www.pparx.org
For information on the dangers of imported drugs, visit:
http://www.buysafedrugs.info

SOURCE Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Mark Grayson of PhRMA, +1-202-835-3460