FW: CONSULTANTS GET VACCINES APPROVED

[Guest guest]

> andysch@... wrote:

> A glimpse into the corrupt, megabucks world of obtaining FDA approval

> for vaccines is attached below. Note the $240,000 in consulting fees

> whether the person " performs any work or not " and the total of $13

> million to cover operating expenses and pay consultants " to help

> [vaccine manufacturer] win Food and Drug Administration license

> approval. " Andy

>

> Audit: Vaccine producer needs bailout

> USA TODAY, DATE: 04/13/00

> By Stone

>

> WASHINGTON -- The sole US producer of the anthrax vaccine has wasted

> millions of dollars on office renovations, travel and consulting fees

> and now needs a " substantial " government bailout to survive, a Pentagon

> inspector general's audit has found. Although the company indicated it

> would ask for no more, the report said officials announced in December

> that they needed another $13 million to cover operating expenses and pay

> consultants to help it win FDA license approval by October.

>

> The company failed an FDA safety inspection in November that found more

> than 40 problems at BioPort's newly renovated plant. As a result, 2.25

> million anthrax vaccine doses have been labeled " at risk " and are

> unsuitable for use. The audit criticized the company for spending more

> than $2 million on " inappropriate " improvements, including $23,000 for

> the chief executive's office furniture. A former employee received a

> $160,000 severance package and was promised a minimum of $240,000 in

> consulting fees " whether he performs any work or not, " auditors said.