H1N1 COUNTERMEASURES STRATEGY AND ... - PHE Home

NBSB Pandemic Influenza Working Group
Detailed Report
Dr. Hayden: Also, the development of a hospital network to do studies is important. It
would give us an opportunity to learn about use of drugs in seriously ill patients. We’d
be wasting an EUA if we’re not getting good data or samples, and that would be a shame.
I urge planning to develop networks. Again, this is just one event, and we anticipate
others, so we need to deal with the issue more coherently.
Dr. Pavia: One more thing - despite the tensions among different perspectives, we have
the same strategic goal of responding to a public health emergency. So we have more in
common than we have differences.
Victoria Davey, R.N., M.P.H.: The Department of Veterans Affairs has a multi-trial
system, and we’re trying to create a master IRB.
Dr. Gellin: There are lots of estimates about days until things happen. What do you see
as the next step for NBSB to advise on these issues?
Dr. Pavia: The problem with advisory groups is that we all have daytime jobs.
Sometimes, what we’re best at doing is bringing others together, catalyzing people who
do work full-time on this. So, what NBSB can do is summarize the thoughts of a large
number of people in documents that key people can review. We may look at issues with
a different perspective. In light of our timelines, the key takeaways can be summarized
in a short document that decision-makers can use. They will probably throw it back to
their key staff with directives on what to address. The value of outside advisors is their
lack of assumptions and willingness to ask hard question. But there’s limited time to
develop a work product.
Dr. Gellin: Dr. Quinlisk, what do you think the Board should add?
Dr. Quinlisk: Thank you all for coming, especially Dr. Pavia and NBSB staff. I’m
amazed at all the thought that’s gone into this. This has been very useful; some people
are saying it’s been the most productive meeting. So what do we do now? We need to
take the lessons from the past 2 days and get our initial advice to people who make
decisions. This is not the end of the process. There is alot to discuss. We anticipate
getting more information, so this is the beginning. We’re already discussing another
meeting; that’s something NBSB can do to keep the momentum going. We welcome
suggestions.
Dr. Cantrill: Our power is bringing together people who don’t talk as often as they
should, that we’re not constrained, and that we’re able to look broadly at the issues.
Dr. Grabenstein: What’s your HHS timeline?
Dr. Gellin: Soon.
Dr. Pavia: With the time crunch, we need this to go up the chain quickly. We need
someone high up (e.g., at the White House) to be involved soon. I’m glad there was a
representative here from the White House. Thanks to Leigh Sawyer and the NBSB staff
for putting this meeting together on short notice. Thanks to our panels, especially for
being willing to expose themselves to criticism and tension. Thanks to the agency
representatives who are willing to be honest and rethink things. We do have short
timelines, and there is alot to be done.
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