The successful development of COVID-19 vaccines will mark a groundbreaking step in our fight against the pandemic. However, the massive demand for approved vaccines and therapies as they come to market will require extensive coordination across the pharmaceutical supply chain and with the public sector.

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 employment has left millions of patients throughout the country without health insurance previously provided by their employer.

Since 2006, thousands of uninsured and underinsured patients in Cincinnati, Ohio, and neighboring communities have been able to fill their critically needed medications at no charge through the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy. By filling prescriptions with no out-of-pocket cost for patients, the charitable pharmacy is committed to providing care for individuals who need it most.