Government To Purchase FluMist at A Discount..

Government To Purchase FluMist at A Discount
Deal Could Give Boost To MedImmune Vaccine


By Michael Barbaro
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 16, 2003; Page E01


The company that makes FluMist, the needle-free influenza vaccine, agreed to sell up to 3 million doses to public health officials at less than half the $46 wholesale price amid a shortage of flu vaccine, the federal government said yesterday, which may ultimately boost faltering sales of the drug.

Negotiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, the agreement lets state and local officials buy the nasal-spray vaccine for $20 a dose from now through the middle of February from MedImmune Inc. of Gaithersburg, the manufacturer, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals of Madison, N.J., which co-markets the vaccine.

snip

MedImmune purchased the FluMist technology from California biotechnology company Aviron two years ago for $1.5 billion, justifying the price to critics by arguing consumers would pay more for a flu vaccine sprayed into their noses than one injected into their arms. The standard shot costs $10 to $15 retail.

Unlike the standard shot, which contains a dead version of the flu virus, FluMist uses a live but weakened virus and may be risky for people with a weak immune system. As a result, federal regulators approved the vaccine only for healthy people ages 5 to 49.

snip

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3090-2003Dec15.html

Two things:
------------
* See how the govt. can purchase drugs at a discount (unlike the medicare reform bill). Note how this is more expensive than the shots.

* Were the shortage of flu shots a "fluke"....with the back-up being the nasal flu spray?

it isn't too bad. And I paid nothing for it.

Hawkeye-X