Exhibition Stands News
UK govt signs flu pandemic contract with GSK
30 Jan 2009
The UK government has signed a deal with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which will see the pharmaceutical company provide 10.6 million treatment courses of Relenza.
In a statement, GSK explained these would be used in the event of an influenza pandemic.
Following this agreement, the UK is now the second country in Europe - along with France - to hold a treatment stockpile which could treat 50 per cent of its population.
Citing the World Health Organisation, GSK notes a new pandemic of influenza is "inevitable", but notes no-one can predict where or when it will emerge.
Simon Jose, general manager and senior vice-president of GSK UK, said: "By doubling the size of the UK antiviral stockpile and diversifying it to include Relenza, the government is recognising the vital role that antivirals are likely to have in reducing the potentially devastating effects of an influenza pandemic."
In other news from the company, it has been announced Deirdre Connelly is set to assume the position of president of North American Pharmaceuticals as of February 9th.
