UNITED STATES - Obama reveals new plan

UNITED STATES (AP):

President Barack Obama will use the State of the Union address to reveal a new plan for responding to bioterrorism threats and attacks, the White House said yesterday, hours after the release of a report that criticised the government's preparations.

The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation gave the Obama administration a failing grade for its efforts to prepare for and respond to a biological attack.

Redesign of the medical antidote

In his speech today, Obama will ask government leaders to ensure that quick, reliable and affordable antidotes will be available during any public health emergency, White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said. This would be a redesign of the medical antidote system, he said.