Agreements for influenza vaccine approved in New Zealand

New Zealand’s Pharmaceutical Management Agency PHARMAC has reached agreements with the local subsidiaries of UK-based GlaxoSmithKline (LSE: GSK) and the USA’s Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) for the supply of influenza vaccine for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 influenza seasons. This was the subject of a consultation letter dated August 20, 2013.

In summary, GSK will supply 250,000 doses of Fluarix each season, and the remainder of the funded market demand in each season will be met with Influvac, supplied by Abbott. All brands of influenza vaccine subsidized for eligible patients and for vaccines directly purchased by DHB Hospitals, will be subject to a confidential rebate arrangement.

The listing of the Fluarix and Influvac brands of influenza vaccine in Section I (National Immunization Schedule) of the Pharmaceutical Schedule will remain. Fluarix will be newly listed in Part II of Section H of the Pharmaceutical Schedule from 1 January 2014, with a subsidy and price (ex-manufacturer, ex-GST) of NZ90.00 ($74.86) for 45mcg in 0.5ml syringe.