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Swiss Pharma Won't Donate Swine Flu Vaccine to Poor

Novartis defies WHO calls to give free doses to poor

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 15, 2009 4:58 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Swiss pharma giant Novartis is defying the World Health Organization by refusing to donate swine flu vaccines to the world's poor, despite the designation of H1N1 as the first pandemic in 40 years, reports the Financial Times. Last week the WHO's director general called on drug companies to show "solidarity" with low-income victims, but Novartis is telling the poor to pay up.

GlaxoSmithKline has pledged 50 million doses of its flu vaccine to the global poor, and several other drug makers have also followed the WHO's call. The US and other rich countries have already reserved major shipments of the drug, raising the prospect of further shortages in the developing world. While Novartis’ CEO said he might consider discounts, he insisted: "If you want to make production sustainable, you have to create financial incentives."

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan speaks during a press conference Geneva, Switzerland. Chan called on drug makers to show solidarity with the world's poor, but Novartis is resisting.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan speaks during a press conference Geneva, Switzerland. Chan called on drug makers to show "solidarity" with the world's poor, but Novartis is resisting.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
Nurse Melissa Salinas prepares a syringe with a flu vaccine in Manila, the Philippines.
Nurse Melissa Salinas prepares a syringe with a flu vaccine in Manila, the Philippines.   (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
A doctor, wearing a face mask as a precaution against swine flu, checks a boy at a hospital in San Salvador last week.
A doctor, wearing a face mask as a precaution against swine flu, checks a boy at a hospital in San Salvador last week.   (AP Photo/Luis Romero)
Sebastian Morales wears a face mask as a precaution against swine flu at the Calderon Guardia hospital's emergency room in San Jose, last week.
Sebastian Morales wears a face mask as a precaution against swine flu at the Calderon Guardia hospital's emergency room in San Jose, last week.   (AP Photo/Kent Gilbert)
The World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic Thursday, the first global flu epidemic in 41 years as infections climbed to nearly 30,000 cases.
The World Health Organization declared a swine flu pandemic Thursday, the first global flu epidemic in 41 years as infections climbed to nearly 30,000 cases.   (AP Photo/ Natacha Pisarenko)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
ChickenChopper
Jun 15, 2009 12:56 PM CDT
wow. someone needs to take this dudes money and give him swine flu. then dangle a pill in front of him and tell him to 'pay up'
ack
Jun 15, 2009 1:19 AM CDT
You wanna make a difference? Boycott. Here are some of Novartis's brands: Triaminic, Theraflu, Lamisil, Excedrin, Ex-Lax, Maalox, Comtrex

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pharmaceutical companies • drug companies • GlaxoSmithKline • Novartis • World Health Organization • flu shot • Tamiflu • flu medications • pharmaceutical industry • pandemic • swine flu

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