The Department of Health admits that it knows the fate of nearly 200,000 units of the influenza vaccine it stores. “The decision will be made jointly with the Ministry and the autonomous communities,” explained a spokesman. Trinidad Jimenez Minister has assured in recent days studying the possibility to donate or sell to EU countries not agreed deals with drug companies, such as Poland or Bulgaria, nearly ten million doses that are left over in Spain. France has already announced it will opt for this route.

Vaccines surplus could be sold at a price below that paid by their manufacturers Health as part of a “solidarity initiative” with these European countries or donated to developing countries, as proposed by U.S. President, Barack Obama .

Another alternative would be to return the surplus to the lab to be sold in pharmacies. But this does not seem very viable option because the companies would accept the agreement only if they see potential for retail. With the epidemic in decline or already completed, it appears that the demand would not be very high. The third option would be to use this material to manufacture seasonal influenza vaccine in 2010, which is made with viruses that circulated last winter over.

How much does it cost?

What has been the cost of bulk purchase of vaccines? It’s the question many are now made. The Ministry does not specify spending has meant to the community because, he says, he does not know the exact figure. It was the ministry who paid for pharmaceuticals, and now that amount will be deducted from funds received each year the Region of the State. The Government approved a special appropriation of 300 million euros to tackle influenza A in Spain. 270 million were destined for vaccines. However, not everything has been paid because the Ministry bought 13.5 million units and the rest, another 24 million-only booking.