GAVI welcomes lower prices for life-saving vaccines

Manufacturer commitments will help GAVI vaccinate millions of children in least-developed countries

In the lead up to its first pledging conference on June 13, the GAVI Alliance announced today it has achieved commitments from two emerging market vaccine manufacturers to lower prices for the life-saving pentavalent vaccine, which protects against five deadly diseases. Developed country manufacturers have also offered price reductions on rotavirus and human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccines.

“These are promising offers that demonstrate industry commitment to work towards affordable and sustainable prices for life-saving vaccines in developing countries. We congratulate all manufacturers who have responded to our call in the lead up to the pledging conference,” said Helen Evans, GAVI’s interim CEO. “We will continue to drive for sustainable prices, while ensuring procurement of innovative, appropriate, quality vaccines to meet GAVI country needs.”

The India-based firms Serum Institute and Panacea Biotec have committed to price reductions on their pentavalent vaccines funded by GAVI. Serum, which had already lowered its price to US$ 1.75 per dose, the lowest price available today, announced it would continue to provide the most competitive pricing and encouraged other manufacturers to follow its lead. Panacea Biotec committed to lower its prices by up to 15%. The pentavalent vaccine protects against five potential killers: diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus influenzae type b. The price reductions illustrate the key role of emerging market suppliers as new global players, contributing to both innovation and increasing competitiveness in the market place.

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Source: GAVI Alliance

 

 

GAVI welcomes lower prices for life-saving vaccines, media release, 6 June 2011, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, Geneva, viewed Tuesday 7 June, http://www.gavialliance.org/media_centre/press_releases/vaccine_prices.php