Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 1 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 July 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what measures were taken in awarding the contract for smallpox vaccines to Powderject, to ensure value for money. - (Holding answer 8 May 2002).

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures were taken in awarding the contract for smallpox vaccines to Powderject, to ensure value for money. [54658] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 8 May 2002]: Since the eradication of smallpox worldwide, new, second- generation smallpox vaccine is not a well-established product subject to normal market pricing pressures. The price quoted by all the companies involved for their products were compared against each other, and the prices were also compared with the price being paid by the United States Government for its smallpox vaccine. Prices were also compared with those for current supplies from old vaccine stocks. On the basis of consideration of all the price information available relating to similar products, the vaccine was deemed to represent value for money at the price quoted.

Secondary information