Drugmakers Cut Vaccine Prices for Developing Countries

Several drugs companies are to cut the prices of their vaccines in the developing world.

GlaxoSmithKline, Merck and Sanofi have agreed to cut prices through the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), set up by Microsoft founder Bill Gates.

UK-based drugmaker GSK has offered to supply up to 125 million doses of its Rotarix vaccine over five years to developing countries at US$2.50 (￡1.50), which is approximately 95% less than the Western market price. The vaccine will be subsidised by higher prices being charged in richer countries. For example, it will cost around $50 a dose in the US. Rotavirus-related diarrhoea kills more than 500,000 children a year.

GAVI helps to fund mass vaccination programmes in developing countries. It is committed to funding the in