POSITION ON USE OF EXPIRATION-DATED CHEMICAL AGENT ANTIDOTES

File: aabxm_01.txt
Page: 01
Total Pages: 3
SUBJECT:  POSITION ON USE OF EXPIRATION-DATED CHEMICAL AGENT ANTIDOTES
	     DURING DESERT SHIELD     


                                   BACKGROUND PAPER

                                                  ON
                      REQUEST FOR AIR STAFF POSITION ON USE OF
 EXPIRATION-DATED CHEMICAL AGENT ANTIDOTES DURING OPERATION DESERT SHIELD
     
PURPOSE
      
To provide background on a request for an Air Staff position on the use of
expiration-dated chemical agent antidotes during operation DESERT SHIELD,
action taken and subsequent resolution of the problem.
      
      BACKGROUND

      - THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
      
     -- A portion of the War Reserve Materiel (WRM) stocks of several USAF
        MAJCOMS consists of expiration-dated materiel (see AFM 67-1 guidance
        below).
        
          As of 29 Aug 90G a fairly portion of SAC ~ 2-PAM-CL consul
          of expiration-dated materiel which was suspended pending FDA testing
          results,
          
     -- On 29 Aug 90, HQ SAC/SG and SGP requested their medical logistics staff
        obtain the official Air Staff position on issue of expired stocks to
        deploying forces.
        
      - FACTORS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM:
      
        -- AFM 67-1 provides the following guidance on expiration dated WRM materiel:
        
      --- Through the Food and Drug Administration Drug Extension Program, WRM
          expiration dated items are being extended to reduce replacement
          requirements and costs...no not order replacement stocks for stocks
                                                                                   
          --- maintain all outdated WRM until replacement stocks are received.
             Outdated WRM will be used only in wartime when authorized by the
             
              commanding physician.
     
      --- These stocks should be sufficient to issue the required 3 atropine
          AUTOINJECTORS to OSAF personnel deploying to OPERATION DESERT SHIELD.
          
         AUTOINJECTORS were expiration-dated and in FDA testing.
         LtCol Falkenheimer/SGHR  [(b)(2)] WSFILE cwexpir.2pp