California Builds Antiviral Stockpile
California is one of 13 states that has ordered federally subsidized antiviral medication to dispense to its residents in the event of a pandemic flu, the Ventura County Star reports.
California will spend $53 million to purchase 3.7 million doses, with the federal government contributing the remaining 25% of the cost of the medications. The state also purchased 68,000 doses at the full price, totaling $1.5 million. With the purchases, the state will have enough of the antiviral drugs to treat about 25% of the population in a pandemic.
States have until Tuesday to decide whether they will purchase the federally subsidized medications (Faridniya, Ventura County Star, 8/1).