AMENDMENT CALLS FOR FEDERAL FUNDS TO FIGHT AVIAN FLU

The Senate passed an amendment late last week that would add $4 billion in federal funds to the government's efforts to develop a vaccine to guard against a potential outbreak of avian flu.

The amendment, proposed by Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), calls for the majority of the funding -- $3.1 billion -- to be used to stockpile Roche's antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate). The remainder of the funds would be used for global flu surveillance, vaccine development, and state and local preparedness.

"This is one of the biggest threats we face today," said Harkin, who attached his amendment to the fiscal 2006 defense appropriations bill.

The World Health Organization has recommended that each country stockpile enough Tamiflu for 40 percent of their population, but the U.S. currently has only 2 million doses on hand, according to Harkin. Under his proposal, the U.S. stockpile of Tamiflu would be increased to provide enough vaccinations for 50 percent of the population.

Harkin's proposal still faces an uncertain future in the House, which has already passed a defense spending bill that does not include avian flu funding. The amendment also faces opposition in the Senate, including from Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), who is shepherding the defense spending bill through the reconciliation phase.