U.S. flag An official website of the United States government

On Oct. 1, 2024, the FDA began implementing a reorganization impacting many parts of the agency. We are in the process of updating FDA.gov content to reflect these changes.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  1. Home

Emergency Preparedness and Response

FDA responds to outbreaks and emergencies - facilitating timely access to medical countermeasures, expediting solutions to shortages, and working with partners.

Topic Paragraphs
Image of vials of drugs in the background with a circle -shaped graphic with spokes representing the 10 Centers of Excellence in the toolkit

Supply Chain

The FDA is committed to promoting patient access to safe and effective medical products and ensuring a secure food supply.

Learn More
Collage of FDA images. Left image of scientist looking through microscope. Top middle image of two Public Health Service officers at computer. Top right image of FDA inspector holding confiscated drugs in warehouse. Bottom right image of grocery store aisle and overlay of nutrition label. Middle image of scientists in lab running tests. Middle bottom image of abstract technology background.

Public Health Preparedness and Response

Outbreak response, medical countermeasures, supply chain shortages, and preparedness for threats - chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN)

See Resources
Office of Resource Management

Emergency Management

FDA's role in coordinating emergency and crisis response activities involving FDA-regulated products.

FDA Emergency Response

FDA's Role

Emergency sign on building

Emergency Use Authorization

The FDA may authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products for emergency use.
Pharmacist checking medicine boxes on a shelf, representing expiration date extension. In some cases, testing has shown that certain properly stored medical products can be used beyond their labeled expiration date if they retain their stability.
Pharmacist checking medicine boxes on a shelf, representing expiration date extension. In some cases, testing has shown that certain properly stored medical products can be used beyond their labeled expiration date if they retain their stability.

Expiration Date Extension

The FDA coordinates and regulates expiration date extension when needed during public health emergencies and other crises.
Examples of MCMs include drugs, vaccines, and devices, such as diagnostic tests and personal protective equipment.
Examples of MCMs include drugs, vaccines, and devices, such as diagnostic tests and personal protective equipment.

Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)

FDA coordinates medical countermeasure (MCM) development, preparedness, and response.

Outbreak Response

FDA Resources

Back to Top