The overall performance of the four manufacturing sites has been criticized by government and independent biodefense specialists as recently as late last year. ADThe Defense Department said its plant in Florida provides the military with ongoing development of medical countermeasures and the ability to provide “rapid response’’ to an outbreak. Yet as America faces a crisis of unknown dimensions with covid-19, the promise of breakthrough medicines and treatments appears to rest with private companies, not the federally sponsored manufacturing sites established with that intent. The four manufacturing sites were launched despite serious doubts. Since then, the Defense Department has spent about $66 million to maintain the readiness of equipment there, federal records show.

Source: Washington Post March 15, 2020 14:36 UTC