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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Tamiflu drug bill 'shocking waste of taxpayers' money' | Tamiflu drug bill 'shocking waste of taxpayers' money' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The government spent £424m stockpiling a drug to treat flu despite there being question marks over the effectiveness of the medicine called Tamiflu, a public spending watchdog has found. | The government spent £424m stockpiling a drug to treat flu despite there being question marks over the effectiveness of the medicine called Tamiflu, a public spending watchdog has found. |
| The National Audit Office (NAO) report reveals how much taxpayers' money was wasted. | The National Audit Office (NAO) report reveals how much taxpayers' money was wasted. |
| Of the 40 million units of Tamiflu bought, a quarter were written off. | Of the 40 million units of Tamiflu bought, a quarter were written off. |
| Some 6.5m units of the drug had to be binned because of storage problems - a mistake that cost £74m. | Some 6.5m units of the drug had to be binned because of storage problems - a mistake that cost £74m. |
| The Department of Health said it would consider the points made by the NAO. | The Department of Health said it would consider the points made by the NAO. |
| Swine flu strategy | Swine flu strategy |
| The NAO began investigating after a number of MPs raised concerns about the decision to stockpile the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). | The NAO began investigating after a number of MPs raised concerns about the decision to stockpile the antiviral drug Tamiflu (oseltamivir). |
| The drug was a major part of the government's response to containing the swine flu epidemic that spread quickly around the world in 2009. | The drug was a major part of the government's response to containing the swine flu epidemic that spread quickly around the world in 2009. |
| Although Tamiflu speeds up recovery times, experts do not agree over its ability to reduce complications and hospitalisations. | Although Tamiflu speeds up recovery times, experts do not agree over its ability to reduce complications and hospitalisations. |
| Between 2006-07 and 2012-13, the Department of Health purchased just under 40 million units of Tamiflu. | Between 2006-07 and 2012-13, the Department of Health purchased just under 40 million units of Tamiflu. |
| Between 2009-10 and 2012-13, 2.4 million units were consumed, mostly during the swine flu pandemic. | Between 2009-10 and 2012-13, 2.4 million units were consumed, mostly during the swine flu pandemic. |
| In total, 10 million units were written off - 6.5m units were discarded before their shelf lives had run out because poor record-keeping by the NHS meant it was impossible to tell if they had been stored correctly and were still useable. | In total, 10 million units were written off - 6.5m units were discarded before their shelf lives had run out because poor record-keeping by the NHS meant it was impossible to tell if they had been stored correctly and were still useable. |
| Public Accounts committee chairwoman Margaret Hodge said taxpayers' money had been squandered and that there was "simply no excuse for this waste". | Public Accounts committee chairwoman Margaret Hodge said taxpayers' money had been squandered and that there was "simply no excuse for this waste". |
| She said: "It is essential, not only for the public purse, but for public safety, that the Department of Health carefully examine how it stockpiles medicines in the future." | She said: "It is essential, not only for the public purse, but for public safety, that the Department of Health carefully examine how it stockpiles medicines in the future." |
| A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The UK is recognised by the World Health Organization as being one of the best prepared in the world for a potential flu pandemic. | A Department of Health spokesperson said: "The UK is recognised by the World Health Organization as being one of the best prepared in the world for a potential flu pandemic. |
| "We currently hold a stockpile of antivirals for use in the event of a flu pandemic. Tamiflu is the main antiviral in stock and a separate antiviral is also held as a contingency. We regularly review this stockpile and our plans for responding to a flu pandemic and we will consider the recommendations of the NAO report." | |
| Additional stocks of Tamiflu are due to reach their end of shelf lives and be replaced during 2013-14 at a cost of £49 million. | Additional stocks of Tamiflu are due to reach their end of shelf lives and be replaced during 2013-14 at a cost of £49 million. |