The Government will have to spend €6 million more than its original allocation to stockpile anti-flu drugs if it decides to match the level of supply ordered by the British authorities.
Although Minister for Health Mary Harney has spoken in recent weeks of a €9 million allocation for the drugs, it has now emerged that such expenditure would buy only enough medicine to treat 16 per cent of the population.
Sources have said the Government is examining whether to increase the allocation to €15 million, which would be enough to buy medicine for 25 per cent of the population.
This is the benchmark set by the health authorities in Britain, who are spending some £200 million (€291 million) on a stockpile which could treat 14.6 million people in the event of a flu pandemic.
Although Britain aims to acquire the drugs within a two-year timeframe, the Government is said to be preparing for a six-month procurement process.
Ms Harney's official spokesman declined to comment on the process, saying the Government's plans were under review by an expert group.
"The review group is tasked with looking at all of these issues, and with making recommendations as to the appropriate level of supply for the stockpile."
Medical experts believe a global flu pandemic is overdue. With the death toll from avian flu in south-east Asia continuing to rise, there are fears that the next pandemic may not be far off.
The Department of Health said this week that the influenza pandemic expert group had reconvened and was reviewing and updating Ireland's preparedness for a pandemic.
Chaired by Prof William Hall, director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory, the group is preparing advice for Ms Harney.
