Emergency declarations smooth way for vaccine makers

[Maxsmom1]

Didn't they already do this with the Homeland Security Bill? or is this something different..



http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/846427.html

[Pariah]

On Oct. 1, Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt declared an anthrax public health emergency. On Oct. 10, he declared health emergencies for smallpox, radiation sickness from the detonation of a nuclear device and poisoning from botulinum toxins, the active ingredient of Botox.

There’s no clear evidence that terrorists have managed to weaponize anthrax or stolen large caches of Botox from cosmetic surgeons in Beverly Hills.

But by declaring these public health emergencies, HHS has granted manufacturers of anti-terrorism drugs and vaccines and others involved with the products protection from lawsuits if the drugs were to cause unfortunate side effects.

Yeah, I'm really convinced there's an emergency since they have that lovely benefit of protection from lawsuits in the event of an emergency.