Army withholds chemical attack antidote

[Judi Lynn]

Thursday, June 10, 2004 · Last updated 11:25 a.m. PT

Army withholds chemical attack antidote

By SHARON THEIMER
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

WASHINGTON -- Despite the interest of emergency officials, the government is refusing to provide U.S. communities an antidote controlled by the Army and stockpiled by other countries to treat victims of a chemical terror attack.

The product, Reactive Skin Decontamination Lotion, was developed by the Canadian military years ago, won Food and Drug Administration approval in 2003 and is sold in other NATO countries for neutralizing sarin, mustard gas and other chemical agents.

It is being tested by the Army. But the companies that make it aren't permitted to sell it or even advertise it to state and local governments in the United States.

"Right now they have no product to decontaminate people other than soap and water," said Phil O'Dell, president of O'Dell Engineering, a Canadian-based company licensed by the Canadian government to sell the lotion. "There is only one FDA-approved. It's the RSDL. These first responders correctly have been trying to buy RSDL since FDA approval."
(snip/...)

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apus_story.asp?category=1110&slug=Chemical%20Attacks%20Antidote

[Bluebear]

1. Well, can't expect Canada to make the bucks can you?

Even if it saves Americans?

[havocmom]

2. Once again, we have met the enemy and it is us,

or at least some of us Americans. Who are the people who make these decisions and why do they get to decide who is left vulnerable? Must be the Golden Rule again. He who has the gold makes the rule. Be have or there will be no medicine for you peasants!

This proves the folks making policy are the ones who hate America, not the ones questioning policy which is not in the interest of the general population.

This story needs to grow legs and fast!

good catch, JudiLyn!

[jeff5]

3. This is NOT an "Antidote"

An antidote counteracts the physiological symptoms of exposure. This is a decontaminant that removes residual material from the skin.

Just in case accuracy matters.