The U.S. government's purchase of $463 million worth of smallpox drug Arestvyr in preparation for a bioterrorism attack has drawn criticism from some bioweapons experts, who say it is excessive given the current stockpile of smallpox vaccine. Siga Technologies President Eric Rose said that the 2 million supplies of its drug Arestvyr "is on the low end" considering that "smallpox is just as contagious and has 30 times the mortality" of the influenza virus. One biosecurity expert said high prices are needed to induce companies to make drugs that may have no use in routine health care.