Improving Health Protection of Military Personnel Participating in Particular Military Operations

1999-10-05Executive Order 13139
Signed by: William J. Clinton
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Headline: Allows Use of Unapproved Drugs to Protect Deployed Military Personnel

What it does: Agencies must follow procedures to use investigational drugs for deployed personnel and seek a Presidential waiver when consent cannot be obtained.

Real World Impact:
  • Permits use of investigational or unapproved medical products for deployed troops.
  • Establishes a narrow Presidential waiver process when informed consent is infeasible.
  • Requires FDA review, monitoring, congressional and public reporting, and troop training.
Topics: military health, medical consent, public health, drug safety, federal oversight

Summary

This order lets the Defense Department and health officials use investigational or not-yet-approved vaccines, antidotes, and treatments to protect deployed military personnel when those products are judged the best countermeasure.

It requires scientific study, informed consent when possible, and a narrow Presidential waiver process if consent is not feasible. The order also requires FDA review, ongoing monitoring, reporting to Congress and the public, and training for troops to reduce health risks during military operations.

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