Date: July 21, 2004
For Release: Immediately
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

STATEMENT BY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding the President's Signing of the Project BioShield Authorization
Legislation

With the signing of the BioShield legislation, President Bush has improved our nation's bio-preparedness in an important way. We will now be able to quickly purchase important medical countermeasures in the event of a threat to our country. This law also sends a clear signal that the U.S. government is prepared to be a full partner with the research community in the fight against bio-terrorism.

The $6 billion investment over the next ten years will allow us to develop and make available modern, effective drugs and vaccines to protect against attack by biological, chemical, nuclear and radiological agents. From our research scientists at NIH to the pharmaceutical staff at FDA, we are moving forward and now with Project BioShield will be able to better protect the health and safety of all Americans.

A fact sheet is available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040721b.html.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.