The World Health Organization (WHO) has agreed with multinational pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline to produce 50 million doses of H1N1 vaccine to be distributed to developing countries free of charge. At a recent press conference in London, company officials announced that 20 percent of its production in Canada would be reserved for this purpose, stressing that the company was "working closely" with the WHO to ensure that doses of the vaccine reached those countries most in need of them. "We are committed to supporting the efforts by governments and health authorities worldwide to protect people from this epidemic," said GlaxoSmithKline CEO Andrew Witty, pointing out that developing countries would in any case receive the vaccine at steeply discounted prices. WHO Director-General Margaret Chan thanked the company for its "generous contribution." GlaxoSmithKline is also reportedly discussing with WHO officials the possibility of giving its latest anti-flu drug, Relenza, to developing countries at no charge. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
