GSK Announces Plans to Address Emerging Global Health Issues
The company said it has plans to address global health challenges including vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, and preparation for future pandemics.
Glaxo-Smith Kline (GSK) has plans to address emerging global health issues, the company said in a Sept. 19, 2016 press release. The company put forth a series of steps it will take in order to combat several global health challenges, including access to vaccines, antimicrobial resistance, and preparation for future pandemics.
In a statement, GSK said it would offer its Synflorix (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) to internationally recognized civil organizations that provide assistance to displaced people for $3.05 per dose. The company said it plans to look into expanding this program to other vaccines in the future. GSK said it will pledge to maintain a stable vaccination program in acute humanitarian situations, where governments are unable to do so.
“I am pleased that we can today offer our pneumococcal vaccine at the lowest price to civil society organizations providing essential immunization programs to refugees,” Sir Andrew Witty, CEO of GSK, said in a statement. “While government-led programs offer the best chance of providing sustainable immunization, we know that this is not always possible-particularly in a time of crisis. Through this new pledge, we hope to provide consistency and stability for those delivering healthcare to some of our most vulnerable communities.”
GSK also stressed its commitment to addressing antimicrobial resistance. The company said it would add its signature to an industry roadmap, laying out a series of specific commitments for reducing the development of antimicrobial resistance, investing in R&D, and improving access to antibiotics. GSK also noted that its antibiotic gepotidacin (GSK2140944) was recently granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product status by FDA, and is now moving towards Phase III trials.
The company said it would reiterate support for a program to enhance preparedness against potential future outbreaks. GSK is also proposing to create a Biopreparedness Organisation (BPO), a dedicated, permanent organization operating on a nonprofit, no-loss basis and focused on designing and developing new vaccines against potential public health threats. The pathogens to be targeted would be selected and prioritized with guidance from independent public health experts.
Source: GSK
