The recent incidents of anthrax infections have caused concern in the United States. It was found that these infections could be treated with antibiotics but one in particular, Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), was cited as being more effective in treating these infections. There is now a great controversy over whether people should stock up on Cipro. Some are in favor of stocking up, while others feel that it isn’t necessary since there are more practical alternatives that can be used against an attack of bioterrorism.

                The stockpiling of Cipro is due to the fact that it is an effective way to prevent deaths caused by anthrax infections, once it is taken early. However, it still remains unclear how well the public health system is equipped to protect us. Simulated biological attacks, also known as “war games,” have been performed by groups of medical, military, and public health officials to determine the outcome of an attack on an American city. The results show that we are poorly prepared.

                However, there are also reasons not to stockpile on Cipro or other antibiotics. According to the Infectious Disease Society of America, stockpiling these medicines would prevent it from reaching people who need it, such as people with pneumonia, skin infections, and other fairly common illnesses. Another reason would apply to pregnant women and children. Antibiotics such as Cipro can cause growth defects in women and small children. Finally, in a bigger picture, stockpiling Cipro would interfere with a system previously planned to deal with a bioterrorist attack. Finally, there is also the chance that bioterrorists will manufacture agents that are resistant to the antibiotics that people are stockpiling.

                Each case of anthrax has been somehow linked to powdery substances arriving in the mail. There are certain clues that can lead a person to sort out suspicious packages, such as misspelled words or titles, packages from unknown persons in a foreign country, excessive postage, no return address, restrictive markings, oily stains, discoloration, or crystallization. If you receive mail with powder inside you should leave it where it is and leave the room. Next, you should call 911 from  another other room and explain to the police what happened.

One might feel that it is necessary to stockpile Cipro just in of an emergency, but that person might just be looking at the small picture. On a larger scale stockpiling drugs that are needed for the treatment of other diseases can be risky and dangerous. In any, case there is no proven right answer, but a method must be devised to deal with an attack. I feel that there is no need to stockpile and everyone should try to relax and have faith in our government to make the right decisions.