An investigation is being launched into tackling the swine flu. The Minister of Health, Edith Schippers, promised this today.
At the insistence of the PVV, PvdA and SP, Minister Edith Schippers decided today that an independent investigation starts on the influence of the pharmaceutical industry in tackling the swine flu †
Questions
The three parties have many questions about the independence of the advice of the Health Council, among others. Ab Klink, Schippers' predecessor, blindly followed the advice when he ordered 34 million vaccines in 2009 † Because the flu outbreak turned out to be a lot smaller than expected, half of all vaccines had to be destroyed †
Schippers assured the House today that she would have done the same as Klink. For example, she stated that the pressure was very high to act quickly on this new, unknown virus † “There was a severe shortage of vaccines and everyone wanted them. Then you can drop out or resign yourself to it grumbling.' Said Schippers. People also felt pressured by the industry and she wants to prevent that in the future.
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Confidential
Schippers understands, however, that the House has questions about the expensive purchase of the vaccines † However, she points out that it is almost impossible to find an expert who has never been involved in an investigation for the industry † According to her, the House was already informed confidentially in 2010 about the prices and the contract negotiations.
