Written question asked by Patsy Calton (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 24 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 March 2003. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 11 March 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what stocks of antibiotics have been made available for the treatment of infected populations in the event of a biological attack.

Answer: Mrs. Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what stocks of antibiotics have been made available for the treatment of infected populations in the event of a biological attack. [99352] Mr. Hutton: The Department has stockpiled enough oral antibiotics to treat various bacterial infections including anthrax, plague and tularaemia. This stockpile exists in addition to national health service stocks in hospitals and pharmacies. A proportion of the stock is packed into "pods", to allow rapid distribution in an emergency. These pods are held at secure sites across the country to allow rapid delivery to any location within the country.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 99352; 401 c231-2W;401 c230W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Biological weapons Antibiotics Health services Drugs Medical treatments Terrorism
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk