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Abstract

The NATO HFM-041 / RTG Prophylaxis and Therapy Against Chemical Agents was active between 1999 and 2005. It was the primary forum for exchange of scientific information between NATO member countries on medical defence against chemical warfare threats. Five international scientific meetings were held to discuss progress in the development of new medical therapeutics. The topics discussed included the need for a new broader spectrum oxime and the development of a new anticonvulsant to replace diazepam. Biological scavengers as an approach to chemical medical defence became a topic of increasing scientific activity. That effort complimented the overall interest in shifting from medical treatment to prophylactic antidotes. Concerns regarding the use of sulfur mustard led to the identification of new classes of therapeutic compounds. Discussions focused on developing closer cooperation between the NATO member nations to foster interoperability in the development and utilization of new drugs for medical chemical defence. During this period, pyridostigmine bromide gained approval by the USFDA as a pretreatment for soman poisoning and human butyrylcholinesterase was granted investigational new drug (IND) status by the FDA as a pre-treatment for nerve agent poisoning. Several joint international scientific projects were undertaken and completed.