An amount of medication used to treat radiation damage of $290 million has been ordered by the Department of Health and Human Services. A bit of shocking news emerged amid worries regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest nuclear threats: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, a medication to cure radiation illness cost $290 million.
The purchase of the medication, known as Nplate, is a part of the department’s “long-standing, ongoing efforts by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to better prepare the United States for the potential health impacts of a wide range of threats to national security“. According to a statement from the department.
In other words, the HHS claims that the purchase of the medication for radiation illness is coincidental. Despite President Joe Biden’s warning that the chance of nuclear “Armageddon” is at its worst level since the Cuban missile crisis.
Nplate, created by American pharmaceutical company Amgen. Received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 2021 to treat radiation sickness-related illnesses. (It also authorise to treat an autoimmune condition that results in severe bleeding in 2008).
The HHS highlighted that the department started supporting the development of the medicine back in 2019. After earlier engagement from the National Institutes of Health. But it did not elaborate on when the decision to buy the drug made or whether it preced the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February.
Amgen will continue to supply the medication. A strategy the HHS claims minimises expenses for taxpayers and enables the medication to be utilised on the market until its expiration.
Former HHS deputy assistant secretary for preparedness. And response Chris Meekins stated that there is no reason to be concerned about the purchase.