Force Health Protection Division

We make life-saving products available to warfighters when there is an urgent need. Our team works with regulatory experts and combatant commands across the globe to rapidly field treatments, diagnostics, and preventive medical countermeasures for high-consequence threats when an FDA-approved product is unavailable. Our portfolio includes French Freeze-Dried Plasma for combat casualty care and treatments for several viral diseases that may be encountered by deployed U.S. troops during Large-Scale Combat Operations worldwide.

Our Capabilities

We bridge the gap between new medical products and the Joint Force to enhance combat readiness and maintain warfighter lethality. Our Force Health Protection team, on behalf of the Secretary of the Army as Lead Component and the Surgeon General of the Army under DOD Instruction 6200.02, supports the provision of investigational medical countermeasures to the Joint Force.

We use a variety of regulatory tools, including Investigational New Drug Expanded Access Protocols and Emergency Use Authorizations. An EUA allows for investigational products, which have not been approved by the FDA, to be used for large populations in the event of a declared public health emergency.

An Intermediate Population Expanded Access Protocol enables the treatment of intermediate-sized populations. FHP provides instructions on FDA-compliant product use and safety data reporting to ensure the best possible support to DOD personnel. Product can be pre-positioned where it is most likely to be needed, especially in areas where timing of treatment may be critical.

Our Current Portfolio

In addition to the products below, FHP also maintains a unique reach-back capability for combatant commanders responding to emerging health threats around the globe. If you need to consult with an expert, please contact us:

Force Health Protection 24/7 Emergency Phone: 301-401-2768

a collection of freeze-dried plasma supplies

French Freeze-Dried Plasma

French Freeze-Dried Plasma is provided to U.S. military forces under an EUA for the treatment of hemorrhage during a combat emergency when conventional blood plasma is not available or not practical. The freeze-dried product is shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration, giving U.S. forces the ability to treat casualties in far forward, austere environments

close-up of hanging medicine bag with drip tube

Ribavirin

Ribavirin is an intravenous treatment for severe viral infections, including Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome, which can be deadly for deployed service members. The drug is available under an Investigational New Drug protocol for use when other treatments are not available or effective.

stack of syringe supplies ready to be shipped

Tecovirimat

Tecovirimat, or TPOXX, is an FDA-approved drug for treating smallpox, one of a group of viruses known as orthopoxviruses. They can cause serious illness or death in military personnel deployed to areas where these diseases occur. When used as an investigational treatment, TPOXX has shown anti-viral activity against mpox and other orthopoxviruses and has been used to treat service members with mpox infection.

uniformed medic holds venomous snake on a hook

Antivenoms

Antivenoms are the only effective treatment to prevent or reverse most of the venomous effects of snakebites, which can cause severe paralysis, hemorrhage, and death. Under DOD policy, antivenoms obtained from suppliers outside the U.S. are treated as IND products. Under this protocol, FHP manages the use of potentially lifesaving antivenoms to treat military personnel stationed around the world.