CDC discusses drug distribution problems during emergencies

ATLANTA - Last year&#39;s anthrax attacks presented unexpected drug distribution problems: Bouncers were needed to control large crowds lined up for medicine. Government medications arrived in huge shipments that took days to sort. Screeners had to watch out for drug-related complications from things as common as multivitamins. <br> <br> Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York City and Salt Lake City discussed the logistical nightmare of distributing medicine in emergencies today at a meeting of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. <br> <br> CDC officials found that emergency plans do not take many difficulties into consideration. <br> <br> For example, in last October&#39;s anthrax attacks, the CDC shipped five-days worth of antibiotics to patients suspected to be exposed to anthrax. <br> <br> Susan Gorman of the CDC says that was enough time for labs to test samples and provide appropriate treatment to those infected. But they had to provide drugs for twice as long when labs became overwhelmed and testing slowed.

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