# 2359
Last month we learned that Japan had plans to purchase 40,000 sets of phylactic suits, or PPE's (Personal Protective Equipment), for use in a pandemic.
Today, we get word of an authorization to purchase another 500,000 sets of PPEs by the Tokyo metropolitan assembly, along with a major purchase of antivirals for their stockpile.
The 624 million yen investment in PPE's works out to nearly $6 million U.S. dollars, while the 8.5 Billion yen for antivirals represents an investment of an additional $80 million dollars.
A hat tip to Treyfish on Flutrackers for posting this link.
Anti-flu protective gear spending OK'd
THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
2008/10/4
Planning ahead for a possible outbreak of a new strain of influenza, the health committee of the Tokyo metropolitan assembly Thursday approved spending about 624 million yen on 500,000 sets of anti-flu protective clothing.
The disposable gowns, masks and other items are for medical workers.
The committee also approved about 8.4 billion yen to stock up on two types of anti-flu drugs--enough doses to treat 3 million people.(IHT/Asahi: October 4,2008)
