Legal Definitions - Strategic National Stockpile

The Strategic National Stockpile is a collection of medicines and healthcare supplies that are kept by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is used to respond to public-health emergencies.

The stockpile was created in 1999 as the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile. It contains a variety of items such as antibiotics, chemical antidotes, antitoxins, life-support medications, IV administration, airway maintenance supplies, and medical supplies.

For example, if there was a sudden outbreak of a deadly virus, the Strategic National Stockpile could be used to quickly provide hospitals and healthcare facilities with the necessary medications and supplies to treat patients and prevent the spread of the virus.