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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.

In this section: Public Health Preparedness and Response

Medical Countermeasures (MCMs)

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

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Gavel and stethoscope, representing medical countermeasure-related counterterrorism legislation

MCM Legal, Regulatory & Policy Framework

Helping ensure that U.S. laws, regulations and policies support preparedness and response for potential CBRN and emerging infectious disease threats.

FDA scientist dividing plasma from individuals recently infected with dengue or West Nile viruses into smaller volume samples for distribution. These samples were part of a reference panel FDA created for qualified Zika test manufacturers, to determine if their tests can differentiate flaviviridae antibodies—that is, if the test can accurately show if a person was infected with Zika, dengue or West Nile, as antibodies for these viruses are very similar.

Preparedness Research

Supports FDA’s public health emergency preparedness and response mission—including MCMi— by advancing discovery and innovation in regulatory science research.

Hospital emergency staff, representing public health emergency-related issues

MCM Issues

MCM-related emergency preparedness and response topics, including COVID-19, mpox, Ebola, antimicrobial resistance, smallpox, pediatric MCMs, and more.

Group in professional development session

Outreach and Professional Development

Training courses and activities to help FDA meet the regulatory challenges posed by new science and technology developments.

Gavel and test tubes, representing regulatory and scientific components of the Medical Countermeasures Initiative

About MCMs

Learn more about how the FDA coordinates MCM development, preparedness, and response.

MCM Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest FDA preparedness and response updates.

MCM Initiative Program Update

Learn more about how FDA works every day to protect national health and security, and support public health emergency preparedness.

6 photos: FDA Commissioned Corps officers donning protecting gowns, gloves, masks and visors; 3D illustration of the coronavirus; cotton facemask; physician wearing medical gloves drawing vaccine or antiviral drug from vial with a syringe; closeup of blood in beaker labeled COVID-19 Positive; closeup of scientist preparing to examine sample under microscope

COVID-19 Updates from FDA

The latest COVID-19 news from FDA, plus frequently asked questions and resources for consumers, health care providers, medical product sponsors, and other stakeholders.