Swine flu vaccine makers fear loss, ask for de-risking industry
New Delhi: Fearing swine flu vaccine
production exceeding demands or stocks lying idle leading to
losses, drug manufacturers from the South Asian region have
asked for their industry to be "de-risked" after the
commercial production starts.
The manufacturers hoped that the industry could be
"de-risked" of losses in the event of production exceeding
demands and stocks lying idle, or the virus strains mutating
with the passage of time making the vaccines ineffective,
reports quoting WHO officials said.
"We have learnt from past experience that influenza
pandemics have a tendency to attack populations in periodic
waves and that the second or third wave may cause much more
severe morbidity and mortality than the first," they said.
During an informal meeting on regional production of
pandemic influenza vaccine, the manufacturers have expressed
concerns about not having clarity on the number of doses that
would be required.
They also expressed hope that the vaccine would be
available in the market within the next six months.
The meeting was attended by manufacturers from India,
Thailand, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
Bureau Report