The National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NSP) program was created as a national resource and is an essential response component of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) larger Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Initiative. The role of the NPS program is to maintain a national repository of life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical supplies that can be delivered to communities in the event of a biological or chemical terrorist attack or an event involving mass casualties. The NPS is to be a re-supply and backup mechanism to state and local emergency response. Before a decision is made to deploy NPS assets, CDC will collaborate with local, state, and federal officials to determine the nature and extent of the event. Once the federal decision to deploy NPS assets is made, CDC's NPS program will arrange for delivery of assets to reach the affected area within 12 hours.