Stimulus package offers boost for pharma

By Nick Taylor

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Influenza Pandemic influenza

Within Obama’s $819bn economic stimulus package are numerous provisions relevant to the pharmaceutical industry, including funding to construct or renovate private manufacturing facilities.

The bill allocates $420m to combating pandemic influenza that may, at the discretion of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), be used: “for the construction or renovation of privately owned facilities for the production of pandemic influenza vaccine and other biologics​.”

Novartis recently benefited from the US government’s pandemic preparations when it received $487m from the HHS for help with constructing a vaccine plant. If passed the bill would provide additional funding for similar public-private ventures.

The funding can also be used for “the development and purchase of vaccine, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other surveillance tools​”.

A further $430m has been allocated to Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which was set up in 2006 to perform research into the “efficient development, testing, manufacture, storage, or use​” of products for dealing with pandemics.

The funding is a significant increase over the $160m a year the body was authorised to receive in 2007 and 2008 and should help the US advance research into pandemic countermeasures.

In addition to the funding for tackling a pandemic the bill also contains $3bn for performing tasks including the US’ immunisation programme, health promotions and plans for dealing with HIV.

Following a successful vote in House of Representatives to bill will now pass to the Senate. The complete bill can be viewed here​.

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