Meeting notes, 23 Aug 9O,Sub~ect: U.S. AriLy Medical

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CcJ3-X                                           25 August 199)#%'


MEMORANDUX FOR    Chief, NBC Defense Division, Cm(TCOX.        Q)-- 3 C(ftt'

SUBJECT:    Meeting notes, 23 Aug 9O,Sub~ect:     U.S. AriLy Medical
Research and Development command (US       1C) update.


1.    CDR, USAXRDC conducted the brief mg:' to the CENTCOM Chief of
Staff.

2.    Pertinent items of interest and facts presented.

      a.   The M291 Skin Decontamination xitt (SDK) was discussed in
detail.    The light-weight SDX replaces     e M25SAl in all
functions.    The X29l uses a bi-valent C arcoal resin to
che1ate~absorb chemical agents from th~ skin.      A kit consi~~s of
6 pouches that contain impregnated fing r pads to wipe the skin
with.    This SDK is on the shelf.  There are 90,000 kits available
now.     The contractor is producing them   t a rate of ~0,OO0 per
week.    You have bee~ provided with a sa pie and descriptive dat=a
on the kit.

      b.   Diazepam (Valium) Autoinjectors.   Diazepam loag :EM will
defe~at--ii(~~y of the physiologic effects  f nerve agent.  Diazepam
should be used in conjunction with exis~ing treatments, ziot in
lieu of them.     USMmDC is exploring wit6 FDA, ensuring this drug
gets into the hands of, at least, aid m~n, if not the individual
soldier.

      C.   Skin Protectant. A commercial l~available skin
protectant, used by hospitals and fire-ighters has proven in
  tests to provide a significant level of protection against
  mustard agents.   Specifically, this can be used on skin areas
  that are semi-exposed, even in MOPP (ar: und the neck).

      d.   Anthrax vaccine. A successful     nthrax vaccine has been
  created and is licensed by the FDA.     Tb S vaccine shows
  particular effect against aerosol deliv red spores.     Vaccine also
  has some effect as a post-exposure trea ment.     10, 000 doses are
  flaw on the shelf. 80,000 can be deliver d by the end of
  September.

       e.  Botulism Fre-Exposure vaccine.    A botulism pre-exposure
  vaccine has been developed.   Use of thi    vaccine is envisioned to
  be limited to Special Operations persoel.       This vaccine,
  however, is not effective against botul~sm F.     34,000 doses are
  on the shelf at Ft. Detrick.

       f.  Hepatitis A vaccine.  This vaccii~ne effecti        eve ts
  Hepatitis A.    Awaiting FDA approval.

                      UNCLASSIFIED
                                                              7--
DECLASSIFIED BY: DEPSECDEF, 22 MAR 95; DECLASSIFIED ON: 24 OCT 96; ACTION OFFICER: GARY L.~NICHOLS, LTC, USA