By Ethan Covey
The distribution of tecovirimat (TPOXX, Siga Technologies) through hospitals, clinics and pharmacies during the 2022-2023 mpox outbreak was more efficient using a hub-and-spoke distribution network.
Among treated patients, nearly two-thirds received treatment through community clinics and pharmacies through a system put into place in Los Angeles County using emergency preparedness plans (MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2024;73[24]:546-550).
“The distribution strategy was effective and sufficient to meet increasing needs over the course of the public health emergency, and similar strategies might benefit other jurisdictions when needing to distribute pre-positioned therapeutics,” Margaret O’Neil, MPH, a research analyst with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs, told Infectious Disease Special Edition.
The program used existing medical countermeasure distribution networks established by the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and the Hospital Preparedness programs. The network consisted of 44 hub facilities that served 456 satellite sites across Los Angeles County.
Among a total of 2,281 individuals in Los Angeles County with mpox, 32% received tecovirimat during June 2022 through January 2023. Sixty-nine percent of the treated patients received their treatment from community clinics and pharmacies. The median time from specimen collection to treatment was two days.
The streamlined drug distribution model was built on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and may be used in different jurisdictions or for future infectious disease outbreaks.
“Medical countermeasures can be rapidly deployed at scale by using existing emergency distribution networks and by including clinics and pharmacies in emergency preparedness efforts,” Ms. O’Neil said. “This structure, when coupled with local data collection and analysis, can help to minimize gaps in treatment access.”
The sources reported no relevant financial disclosures.
