In 1999, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, now the Center for Strategic National Stockpile (SBS), for emergency health security.

The SNS is part of the federal medical response infrastructure and can supplement medical countermeasures needed by states, tribal nations, territories and the largest metropolitan areas during public health emergencies.

The supplies, medicines, and devices for lifesaving care contained in the stockpile can be used as a short-term, stopgap buffer when the immediate supply of these materials may not be available or sufficient.