Swine flu arrival overwhelmed stockpile of medical supplies

Swine flu in the United States exposed gaps in the supply chain that delivers medication, masks, and even testing swabs to hospitals and doctors' offices. The shortcomings could prove vastly more worrisome if a deadlier strain returns in the fall, officials say. In Massachusetts, the administration of Governor Deval Patrick is asking the Legislature to spend $1 million more to bolster the state stockpile, a request that is pending.