Us to buy $290 million worth of drugs for nuclear emergencies and radiation sickness

Many around the world are worried that the escalation could lead to an all-out nuclear war after Russian President Putin announced a partial mobilization effort.

There is a reason to be worried. President Putin raised the threat of nuclear weapons and warned Western leaders that he wouldn't bluff about the use of nuclear weapons if the security of Russia is at stake. Last month, Poland distributed iodine tablets to its citizens because of the growing fear of Europe's largest nuclear plant in Ukraine as Russia and Ukraine fight each other.

Poland is not alone. The United States is preparing for the possibility of a nuclear war.

The United States Health and Human Services HHS announced today that it will buy $290 million worth of drugs for nuclear emergencies and radiation sickness. In a statement, the HHS said:

Below is the full press release statement.

BARDA will use its authority under the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield funding to purchase the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach reduces life cycle management costs for taxpayers because of the fact that doses that are near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to government supply.

ARS, also known as radiation sickness, occurs when a person's entire body is exposed to a high dose of penetrating radiation, reaching internal organs in a matter of seconds. Symptoms of ARS injuries include impaired blood clotting as a result of low platelet counts, which can lead to uncontrolled and life-threatening bleeding.

Nplate stimulates the production of platelets to reduce radiation-induced bleeding. The drug can be used to treat adults and children.

Nplate is approved for adult and pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder that results in low platelet counts. Repurposing drugs for acute radiation syndrome that are approved for a commercial indication helps to maintain availability of the product and improves healthcare provider familiarity with the drug.

HHS, ASPR, and BARDA: HHS works to improve and protect the health and well-being of Americans and promote advances in medicine, public health, and social services. ASPR leads the nation to respond to and recover from adverse health effects of emergencies, supporting communities ability to withstand adversity, strengthening health and response systems, and enhancing national health security. BARDA invests in innovation, advanced research and development, acquisition, and manufacturing of medical countermeasures, vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostic tools, and non-pharmaceutical products needed to combat health security threats.