Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline to increase sales of pneumococcal vaccines through GAVI

Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline are increasing their sales of reduced-cost pneumonia vaccines to developing countries through the GAVI Alliance "by more than 50 percent, marking the scale-up of an international program to protect millions of children," Reuters reports (Hirschler, 12/16).

"In March 2010, Pfizer and Glaxo signed agreements to supply 30 million doses each per year for 10 years, or 300 million over a decade," and under the extension, the companies will supply approximately 180 million additional doses through 2023, the Associated Press/CNBC writes, adding, "GAVI and the receiving nations will pay $3.50 per dose for the vaccines, a significant discount from the price in the developed world" (12/16). "Supply agreements for the vaccines have been financed by the GAVI Alliance, five donor countries, including Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, the Russian Federation and Norway, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation," according to Fox Business News (Booton, 12/16).