Strategic National Stockpile CHEMPACK Program

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The CHEMPACK program is a national, voluntary program, overseen by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response’s Strategic National Stockpile as a necessary function of the nation’s defense against terrorism.

CHEMPACKs are containers of nerve agent antidotes and supplies that can be quickly accessed by first responders and medical professionals in a chemical incident. These antidotes can quickly be administered in lifesaving situations during the release of nerve agents in a public health emergency.

The toxic effects of nerve agents may be immediate or delayed for many hours depending on agent and route of exposure. Complete decontamination and immediate pharmaceutical intervention for severely exposed patients are the best countermeasures to reduce mortality. Long-term in a hospital with significant additional pharmaceutical and supportive care is often required in significant exposures.

Type of CHEMPACK Containers

• EMS CHEMPACK holds enough supplies to treat approximately 454 patients and has a higher percentage of pre-load medications (auto-injector) and a lower percentage of multi-dose vials.
• Hospital CHEMPACK holds enough supplies to treat approximately 1,000 patients and has a higher percentage of multi-dose vials and a lower percentage of pre-load medication.

Medications in CHEMPACK containers work by treating the symptoms of nerve agent exposure and can be used even when the actual agent is unknown. CHEMPACK antidotes are regularly tested for potency and are replaced when needed.

The CHEMPACK formulary consists of medication that:

• Treats excess secretions caused by nerve agents, for example, excess saliva, tears, urine, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• Treats symptoms such as high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, weakness, muscle tremors, and paralysis.
• Treats and can prevent seizures.

What this means for Minnesota

• Minnesota has selected and staged its CHEMPACK containers based on the amount and variety assets allocated, hazard vulnerability analysis, public health regional planning and placement sites meeting the strict criteria for the Program.   
• The antidotes are either replaced by ASPR at or before their expiration date or the assets are eligible for the Shelf Life Extension Program to assure the assets are safe and effective. MDH serves as a liaison to the host sites and to ASPR during these sustainment operations. 
• MDH assists in emergency response planning for the CHEMPACK program assets by providing guidance, review, and subject matter expertise. 

EMS and Hospital Containers in Metro and Greater Minnesota

State of Minnesota map highlighting 11 counties that have EMS and/or hospital CHEMPACK containers including: Beltrami, St. Louis, Otter Tail, Stearns, Kandiyohi, Lyon, Hennepin, Anoka, Ramsey, Dakota, and Washington.

For More Information

• CDC Bioterrorism (https://emergency.cdc.gov/bioterrorism/)