The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) plays a critical role in supplementing state and local supplies during public health emergencies. The lifesaving medicines and healthcare products secured by the stockpile serve as a buffer when supplies may otherwise not be immediately available.

As the fight against the coronavirus pandemic continues, the successful development of effective COVID-19 vaccines will represent a pivotal moment in our country’s efforts to end this public health crisis. However, the discovery of a vaccine is just the first step of many to ensure these critical medicines are widely accessible to providers and their patients.

The COVID-19 public health crisis has highlighted access and affordability challenges for underserved communities. At the same time, spiking unemployment has left millions of patients throughout the country without health insurance previously provided by their employer.