The National Antiviral Stockpile (NAS) is a federal
Government of Canada
The government of Canada (french: gouvernement du Canada) is the body responsible for the federal administration of Canada. A constitutional monarchy, the Crown is the corporation sole, assuming distinct roles: the executive, as the ''Crown ...
response to the needs of the health care system in case of an emergency. It is a responsibility of the
Public Health Agency of Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC; french: Agence de la santé publique du Canada, ASPC) is an agency of the Government of Canada that is responsible for public health, emergency preparedness and response, and infectious and chronic dis ...
(PHAC).
Synopsis
The NAS was begun immediately after the
SARS pandemic that hit hospitals in
Toronto
Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America. The city is the anch ...
particularly hard. While
province
A province is almost always an administrative division within a country or state. The term derives from the ancient Roman '' provincia'', which was the major territorial and administrative unit of the Roman Empire's territorial possessions ou ...
of
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
SARS Commissioner Justice
Archie Campbell refrained from issuing any recommendations to form a stockpile, such need existed in the mind of the
Martin government, who tasked their newly-instantiated
Chief Public Health Officer of Canada with its roll-out. In the event, Dr
David Butler-Jones
David Butler-Jones is a Canadian physician and public servant who served as the 1st chief public health officer of Canada from the position's formation on October 23, 2004 to June 2013. The chief public health officer was the head of the Public ...
performed the task.
The NAS anticipates a
pandemic and therefore procures antiviral health supplies. The Federal Budget 2006 allocated $600 million for general pandemic planning and preparedness activities, such as the NAS:
See also
*
National Emergency Stockpile System
The National Emergency Stockpile System (NESS) is a federal Government of Canada response to the needs of the health care system in case of an emergency. It is a responsibility of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
Synopsis
The NESS is:
...
*
Strategic National Stockpile
References
{{reflist
Strategic reserves of Canada