| http://www.usatoday.com/news/attack/2001/11/28/offlede.htm
11/28/2001 - Updated 03:40 PM ET U.S. seeks price on 500 million smallpox shots By Julie Appleby, USA TODAY U.S. health officials want to know how much drugmakers would charge for up to 500 million doses of a smallpox vaccine — twice the amount initially sought — government documents show. The documents do not say whether the U.S. would buy or otherwise acquire those additional doses, or spell out how they would be used. A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would not comment Tuesday on any aspect of negotiations ongoing with three drug companies until contracts are awarded, which could occur as early as today. Previously, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson said the government is negotiating to buy 250 million doses of the vaccine, enough for "every man, woman and child" in America. But in the opening pages of a lengthy "request for proposals" sent to drug companies in the current round of negotiations, the government asks for price information on an additional 250 million doses under a clause labeled "options." The clause gives the government the option to purchase or otherwise obtain the additional doses. Thompson has asked Congress for $509 million for the vaccine, but that may not cover even 250 million doses. Bids came in above $2 a dose, but less than $8 each, Thompson said earlier this month. Health officials aren't planning a mass immunization campaign but say they want the vaccine in case terrorists cause an outbreak. Price is likely a part of the ongoing talks with Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Baxter International, which is working in conjunction with Acambis, a British firm already under contract to produce 54 million doses of the vaccine. If the government exercises the option to acquire even more of the vaccine, it would probably do so over several years to replenish the nation's stockpile, replace expired doses or share the vaccine with other countries, sources close to the negotiations say. |
