Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy www.governor.ct.gov and the State Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) www.ct.gov/dcp have launched a new public tool that consumers can use in a natural disasters, storms, or other type of an emergency situations to get information, obtain medicines, supplies, or find sources for medical treatment.
The tool called “Business Finder” http://businesstatus.ct.gov is a web-based mobile optimized database that enables pharmacies, dialysis centers, and oxygen suppliers to update business information in real-time using a specific passcode before and during an emergency. The tool enables customers to find a store or treatment center that is open and can meet their needs.
Without graphics to slow its function, the website is designed to work with all major browsers including Safari, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox on PCs, Macs, notebook computers and all types of smart phones as long as some type of internet access or Wi-Fi is available. Using the device’s geo-positioning function, residents can search for nearby options or do a search for an address, town, or zip code.
“As far as we know, this is the very first mobile optimized website that specifically is designed to provide information on pharmacy operations, portable oxygen, home medical supplies, and dialysis treatment to the general public and to the State of Connecticut’s Emergency Operations Center as part of an emergency response,” reports John Gadea, Director of Drug Control for DCP. “We anticipate that it will also be a great tool for visiting nurses, shelters, and other facilities that need to locate life-saving medicine or services.”