The debacle spotlighted serious problems with the US vaccine supply system. Only two other manufacturers produce flu vaccine
for the huge US market, a situation that limits how officials can respond to emergencies. Critics regularly propose that the
federal government take over US vaccine distribution and production, and this latest incident is unlikely to encourage private
sector investment without added incentives and liability reform.
The Chiron crisis may spark interest in proposals to spur more flu vaccine production, including those that would:
"expand government purchase guarantees to cover unused doses.
"provide grants and support for manufacturers adopting modern production techniques. NIH officials are offering up to $150
million in financial incentives to encourage pharma companies to develop modern flu vaccine production technologies such as
cell-based cultures and DNA engineering. Everyone agrees that it's vital to shift away from today's old-fashioned egg-based
systems, but that could take years.
"expand vaccine production through regulatory and market reforms. A report from the National Vaccine Advisory Committee, which
appeared in October as the flu vaccine crisis was emerging, recommends dropping price caps on vaccines for children, improving
vaccine coverage by payers and insurers, and seeking more harmonization in US and foreign vaccine approval requirements to
increase supplies in an emergency.
Jill Wechsler is Pharmaceutical Executive's Washington correspondent.
Jill Wechsler is the Washington Editor for Pharmaceutical Executive and writes about federal government policies and programs that affect the pharmaceutical industry. Her monthly Washington Report discusses legislative proposals, FDA initiatives and actions by other government agencies, including Medicare pharmacy benefit proposals, federal
investigations related to pharmaceutical company marketing, debate over DTC advertising, generic drug competition, over-the-counter initiatives, among
other topics. She has written for PE for more than ten years and also covers Washington for other Advanstar publications, including Pharmaceutical Technology, Applied Clinical Trials, BioPharm, Managed Healthcare Executive and Formulary. Prior to that she reported on
government policies and a wide range of topics for business and consumer publications.
Articles by Jill Wechsler
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