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PHEMCE Frequently Asked Questions

The Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) is a federal interagency advisory body codified in legislation in 2019 to advance national health security by coordinating research and development of novel medical countermeasures (MCMs) against national health security threats, including emerging infectious diseases (EID) and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) threats. The PHEMCE meets regularly to assess known or unknown threats and review and provide recommendations to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the life cycle and procurement of medical countermeasures.

The PHEMCE was originally established in 2006. In 2019, the PHEMCE was formally codified as a federal interagency advisory body with the passage of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act, P.L.116-22, which amended the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S. Code § 300hh–10a.

The Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S. Code § 300hh–10a outlines PHEMCE functions to include:

  • Utilizing a process to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding research, advanced research, development, procurement, stockpiling, deployment, distribution, and utilization with respect to countermeasures, including prioritization based on the health security needs of the United States.
  • Identifying national health security needs, including gaps in public health preparedness and response related to countermeasures and challenges to addressing such needs (including any regulatory challenges), and support alignment of countermeasure procurement with recommendations.
  • Assisting the Secretary of Health and Human Services in developing strategies related to logistics, deployment, distribution, dispensing, and use of countermeasures that may be applicable to the activities of the strategic national stockpile.
  • Providing consultation for the development of the strategy and implementation plan.

According to the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S. Code § 300hh–10a, the PHEMCE members are:

  • The Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) (co-chair)
  • The Director of the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy (OPPRP) (co-chair)
  • The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • The Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA)
  • The Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • The Secretary of Defense (DoD)
  • The Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • The Secretary of Agriculture (USDA)
  • The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA)
  • The Director of National Intelligence (DNI)

What is the difference between a member and a partner?

PHEMCE members are officials from the named federal agencies in Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S. Code § 300hh–10a. They coordinate and collaborate with a collaborative network of partners from federal; state, local, and tribal (SLTT) governments; industry; professional societies; and other public and private organizations. Together, they form part of the broader PHEMCE Enterprise.

For further questions or information about PHEMCE's ongoing activities and engagements, please email us at PHEMCE@hhs.gov