Pentagon Launches Bio-Defense Drug Program, Defying Expert Advice and Wasting Billions

The Pentagon has decided to launch its own costly bio-defense drug program, despite a similar effort already underway at another federal agency and despite the recommendations of a panel of experts to avoid taking such action.

Last month, the Department of Defense broke ground on its own plant, located in north Florida, to make flu vaccines and specialized medicines to shield soldiers from germ warfare agents.

Defense officials are financing the construction by diverting monies away from other military needs, such as new masks, boots, early-warning sensors and other equipment designed to combat chemical or biological weapons, according to the Los Angeles Times.

This means the Pentagon will spend millions on bio-defense drugs, even though the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is also spending taxpayer dollars—possibly billions—to produce the same types of medicines through pharmaceutical companies.

From AllGov