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Pandemic flu drug stockpiles are set to double

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by COI News Distribution Service. 29 January 2009

The UK today awarded contracts to double emergency supplies of flu drugs to treat everyone who is predicted to fall ill in a pandemic, making the UK one of the most prepared countries in the world.

The agreements with Roche and GlaxoSmithKline will double antiviral stockpiles, which are expected to be in place by April 2009. The contracts will deliver an additional 7.6 million treatment courses of Tamiflu (Roche) and 10.6 million treatment courses of Relenza (GlaxoSmithKline). Once the extra capacity is in place, there will be 33.5 million treatment courses of antivirals.

Without antiviral treatment, estimates suggest that up to 750,000 people could die in the UK during a pandemic. Antivirals will play a key role in the clinical response, reducing the severity of the illness and reducing the chance that complications such as pneumonia will set in.

There are currently enough drugs for a quarter of the population, but the latest cross-government pandemic plan aims to cope with the worse case scenario of an infection rate that could hit up to half the UK population. Contracts awarded today by the Department of Health will ensure that we can meet that aim.

Public Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said:

"The UK is already widely recognised as one of the best prepared countries in the world. The increased flu-drug stockpile means that we should be able to treat everyone who falls ill in a pandemic.

"Antivirals are an important part of our robust countermeasure strategy and will ensure we respond effectively in the event of a flu pandemic."

World Health Organization Assistant Director-General for Health Security and Environment Dr David Heymann said:

"The UK remains among the best prepared countries in the world.

"Purchasing enough antivirals to treat the worst case attack rate scenario, and two different antivirals in case resistance develops, is a first class example of the UK's advanced planning."

Notes to editors

1. The Department of Health announced plans to increase the stockpile to 50% of the population when the National Framework was launched in November 2007 by the Secretary of State.

2. This procurement of the antivirals was subject to EU procurement legislation. This process began with the launch of the tender process in August 2008.

3. Pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges that people lack immunity to where there is no vaccine. Unlike 'seasonal' flu outbreaks, flu pandemics occur infrequently - usually every few decades. The most serious last century was in 1918 and killed 20 million worldwide.

4. Previous flu pandemic have infected between 25 to 35 per cent of the population.

5. For further information, please contact the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221.