Follow the Money - H5N1 Captain Trips?
For the first time, the federal government created a stockpile of antiviral medicines under President Bush's leadership, specifically as a contingency if there were not enough flu vaccine.
$87.1 million to stockpile 2.3 million doses of Tamiflu. And it invested $34 million on Rimantadine capsules to treat 4.25 million adults and Rimantadine syrup to treat 750,000 kids.
Two other antiviral products on the marketplace to help prevent and treat the flu are Amantadine and Zanamivir.
In each of the last two budgets, HHS has asked for $100 million to shift vaccine development from the cumbersome egg-based production to new cell-culture technologies, as well as to provide for year-round availability of eggs to provide for a secure supply and surge capacity.
HHS received $50 million in the fiscal year 2004 budget, and Secretary Thompson urges Congress to fully fund the $100 million request for 2005.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has more than doubled the payment rates for the vaccine and its administration since 2000. In 2004, CMS is paying $18.30 for the vaccine and administration -- up from $8.92 in 2000.
US Dept of Health & Human Services
$87.1 million to stockpile 2.3 million doses of Tamiflu. And it invested $34 million on Rimantadine capsules to treat 4.25 million adults and Rimantadine syrup to treat 750,000 kids.
Two other antiviral products on the marketplace to help prevent and treat the flu are Amantadine and Zanamivir.
In each of the last two budgets, HHS has asked for $100 million to shift vaccine development from the cumbersome egg-based production to new cell-culture technologies, as well as to provide for year-round availability of eggs to provide for a secure supply and surge capacity.
HHS received $50 million in the fiscal year 2004 budget, and Secretary Thompson urges Congress to fully fund the $100 million request for 2005.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has more than doubled the payment rates for the vaccine and its administration since 2000. In 2004, CMS is paying $18.30 for the vaccine and administration -- up from $8.92 in 2000.
US Dept of Health & Human Services
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