HHS buys $290 million worth of radiation sickness drugs in preparation for nuclear emergencies

By arseniotoledo // 2022-10-07

Mastodon

Parler

Gab

Copy

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is buying $290 million worth of drugs meant for treating radiation sickness in preparation for a nuclear emergency. This purchase was announced on Oct. 4 by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), an agency within the HHS whose purpose is to prepare the nation for future disasters and public health emergencies. In a statement, the ASPR said it purchased a drug called romiplostim, sold under the brand name Nplate by the California-based biopharmaceutical company Amgen. The purchase was made "as part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies." (Related: Health Ranger Report: Steve Quayle tells Mike Adams which US cities would be hit first if nuclear war breaks out.) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Nplate in 2008 as medication for immune thrombocytopenia, an autoimmune disease that results in low platelet counts and uncontrollable bleeding. In 2021, the FDA approved using Nplate for treating blood cell injuries that accompany acute radiation syndrome in both adults and children. "Repurposing drugs for acute radiation syndrome that also are approved for a commercial indication helps to sustain availability of the product and improves healthcare provider familiarity with the drug," said the ASPR in its announcement. The purchase was supported by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), another agency under the HHS, which also supported Amgen's development of Nplate. "BARDA is using its authority provided under the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug," reads the ASPR's statement. Project BioShield is a government program meant to incentivize private companies to develop countermeasures against future chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. "Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory," said ASPR of the Nplate drug supply. "This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply."

Purchase comes as fear of nuclear war rises

The new purchase follows increasing international concern over the potential for Russia's special military operation in Ukraine to turn into a nuclear war due to Western-led interference. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly warned that his country would consider every action necessary to achieve its objectives in Ukraine and it would not hesitate to deploy nuclear weapons. The Ukrainian government is reportedly preparing for a potential nuclear attack on its capital of Kyiv by stocking evacuation centers with potassium iodine pills, which can help protect people exposed to high doses of radiation. In response to Russian statements, American officials have asserted that it would take decisive action if Russia ever moved to use nuclear weapons. Read more news like this at NuclearSurvival.news. Watch this episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how most people die from the collapse, not the radiation, in the aftermath of a nuclear strike. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

CITIZENS NEWS

Purchase comes as fear of nuclear war rises

More related stories: