Drugmakers Seek to Develop Swine Flu Vaccine

2009-06-13 19:50:26 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Health & Fitness, News)

Drugmakers like GlaxoSmithKline are rushing to produce a vaccine for the swine flu.

Drugmakers are reportedly acting fast to produce a vaccine for the swine flu.

Wired PR News – The recent declaration of a swine flu pandemic has sparked many drug makers to act fast in the production of a vaccine for the virus. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), several pharmaceutical companies are working on producing a vaccine for the H1N1 flu strain, and The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking to ensure that there will be availability for people in poorer countries, whose access may be hindered by guaranteed access for developed countries.

Companies like GlaxoSmithKline PLC have promised a donation of millions of doses to aid in the WHO’s efforts. However, some remain skeptical about whether the companies will actually follow through with their promises. David Fedson, an expert in vaccines and former University of Virginia medicine professor is quoted by the AP as stating of the issue, “WHO can say whatever it wishes, but pharmaceutical companies will take their marching orders from the politicians… Do you think any doses of vaccine made in France, Germany, the Czech Republic or anywhere will be allowed out to go to other countries just because there’s a contract?” Fedson further remarked, “There’s a lot of dirtiness in vaccine politics… We may try our best, but we won’t succeed in doing what’s necessary.”

Photo Credit: Wikipedia User KTo288