Final answer:
During a health emergency, government agencies like FEMA and HHS, including the SNS, are permitted to stockpile drugs. The FDA oversees drug safety, presenting a balance between protection from unsafe drugs and access to potentially life-saving treatments during emergencies.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a health emergency, it is generally the role of government agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which includes the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS), to stockpile drugs and other medical supplies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety and efficacy of these drugs, which sometimes may take years of testing before they can be distributed. The winners in this regulatory system are those who are protected from unsafe drugs, while the losers often include individuals who might benefit from more rapid access to life-saving medications yet must wait for lengthy approval processes or face shortages of critical supplies during crisis situations, such as the inadequate stockpile of protective masks prior to the pandemic.
In the case of severe outbreaks, such as Ebola, complex ethical questions arise concerning the use of unregistered and untested medications. Government and health authorities must balance the potential for life-saving benefits against the risks of unproven treatments. Additionally, questions about prioritization of limited supplies—whether they should be given to patients, held in reserve, or made available first to healthcare providers—are crucial considerations during a health emergency.