Tokyo Government To Stock Up Flu Drugs For 4 Million People
This article was originally published in PharmAsia News
Executive Summary
To better prepare for a flu pandemic, the Tokyo government has proposed a ¥9 billion budget to supply Tamiflu and Relenza for 3 to 4 million people. It is estimated that 3.8 million in Tokyo could be infected in a global avian flu pandemic. However, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare only provides Tokyo Tamiflu for 1.02 million and Relenza for 20,000. Considering MHLW's supply to be insufficient, Tokyo Governor Shintaro Ishihara pushed for the additional budget. According to the MHLW, the national flu drug stocks pile is prepared for 28 million people, and Tokyo is the first local government to stock up on the flu drugs. (Click here for more - Japanese language)