Questions Arise Over $433M Smallpox Drug Contract to Company Tied to Dem Donor

Published November 12, 2011
| FoxNews.com

AP
Scientists are questioning a $433 million government contract for a smallpox drug they say the country doesn't need, amid concerns over the way the project was secured for a firm tied to a Democratic donor.

The Los Angeles Times reported over the weekend that U.S. officials took unusual steps to award the contract to Siga Technologies. Democratic donor Ronald Perelman has the controlling share of the company.

The article cited emails showing the Obama administration replaced the lead negotiator on the project following complaints from Siga -- Siga was apparently concerned about the government's objections to how much money Siga would make off the deal.

Earlier, in December, the government also reportedly blocked other companies from bidding on the contract in a second round.

Siga ultimately won the contract in May, but some questioned the price of the drug -- approximately $255 per dose -- and the practicality of the project.

The government already has a smallpox vaccine on reserve. Siga's pill is meant to help people diagnosed too late for the vaccine to be effective, according to the Times.

But the drug has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and there are limits on how it can be tested.

One epidemiologist described the plan as a "waste of time and a waste of money."

But Nicole Lurie, the Department of Health and Human Services official in charge of biodefense, told the Times the contract was granted on merit. And she cited a 2004 study showing a "material threat" that smallpox could be a biological weapon.

A Perelman representative also told the newspaper that his political donations merely represent "his right" to support candidates.



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Hi ssc

I had a smallpox vacination in 1972 because I was about to travel to Spain...apparently there was an outbreak.

Terrible desease ....and the thought of using it as a weapon sounds very dangerous.

The scar from the injection on my arm is very small, but i have seen some big ones...

Our Countries might not need it as a mass imunation program.

We just have to trust our Governments.

Siga's pill is meant to help people diagnosed too late for the vaccine to be effective, according to the Times.

I may be wrong but America has a stronger policy on the use of drugs than us.

Candy, I asked you a question in general thoughts. about cactus,I was hoping you would see it before it was covered up, this was the only place I could post, sorry to go off the subject.:)

Hi Candy. I think this article is more about the questionable handling of a drug contract by a political party and at a huge expense.
I have a scar on my arm about the size of a penny, I guess it was around 1962 when I got the shot. I remember it itching as it healed.

We have the FDA which governs the type and manufacturing of drugs.

as usual it is being covered again