"As this flu virus outbreak expands across the country, we have been taking necessary steps to ensure states have the resources they need,"
said Sebelius. "The 13 million additional treatment courses that we will purchase will allow us to replenish our national stockpile and further ensure we are prepared to provide the American people with the treatments they may need to stay healthy."
HHS has stockpiled approximately 50 million courses of antiviral drugs in the Strategic National Stockpile, and state stockpiles across the country include an additional 23 million more treatment courses. Earlier this week, HHS released a total of 11 million treatment courses to help all 50 states. Today HHS began moving 400,000 treatment courses to Mexico to help stop the spread of the virus. The 400,000 courses represent less than 1 percent of the total American stockpile.
As a result of today's action by the Secretary, HHS will spend an estimated $251 million to refill the Strategic National Stockpile and replace the 11 million treatment courses offered to states and to purchase an additional two million treatment courses. These additional two million treatment courses will be used to replace those that have been provided to Mexico or could also be available to respond to other outbreak needs.
"Flu viruses don't stop at the border, and it is imperative we do whatever we can to slow the spread of the virus and help stop this outbreak," said Sebelius.
HHS will make Strategic National Stockpile experts available on a background briefing call at 7:15 PM to answer questions about today's actions.
