Vaccine firm set to lose jabs deal over under-strength drugs

Vaccination News Home Page

http://www.scotlandonsunday.com/health.cfm?id=874252002



	Sunday, 11th August 2002

Sun 11 Aug 2002

printer friendly

email article

Vaccine firm set to lose jabs deal over under-strength drugs

BRIAN BRADY

A VACCINE firm run by a multi-millionaire Labour donor is poised to lose the exclusive deal to supply anti-tuberculosis jabs for British schoolchildren, after it sold thousands of under-strength doses to Irish health chiefs.

The Irish government has suspended Powderject Pharmaceuticals’ licence to provide BCG vaccinations because of deep concerns over the potency of a batch of the drug distributed to 33 hospitals and clinics.

At least 2,500 people, most of them children, are now waiting anxiously to see if they have to be re-vaccinated with a stronger drug.

The dramatic move, followed by damning criticism of the company’s Merseyside plant, pushed Powderject into a surprise decision to withdraw the drug in Britain pending new tests.

The NHS will now have to get by without the vaccine, amid fears that TB could be on the rise again, until Powderject sorts out its problems or the government finds an alternative supplier.

It is the latest in a series of embarrassing episodes involving the firm, which is also at the centre of a furious row over the decision to award it the £32m deal to build up Britain’s stockpile of smallpox vaccine.

Last night British government officials warned that Powderject, run by Labour donor Paul Drayson, was likely to lose the £17m BCG contract in the light of the new revelations.

A Department of Health spokesman said there was no question about the safety of the drugs. However, he added: "Obviously the vaccines have got to be suspended as soon as possible and we will restart the vaccination programme as soon as a suitable one is available."

The Powderject vaccine is the only anti-TB drug licensed for use in the UK, but ministers are believed to be waiting for the Medicines Control Agency to rubber-stamp an alternative made in Denmark.

Nevertheless, health experts and opposition politicians last night said they were astonished the government had not followed the Irish lead and suspended Powderject’s licence in this country.

Shadow health secretary Liam Fox said: "It has just been a catalogue of dubious developments. It just calls completely into question the government’s whole handling of this situation."

One expert from the Irish Medicines Board said he was surprised that the vaccine had not been suspended in the UK, despite the warnings and emergency measures from colleagues in Ireland.

Last night a Powderject spokesman insisted the variation in potency was common but added: "We have produced a product that didn’t meet the specifications. We aren’t ignoring this, we have taken robust action. We will work with the government to help ensure that they have the vaccine. Obviously both roads are open to them, to go with us or look elsewhere."

	We must address autism worries (13-Aug-02)
	Scientists claim new link between MMR and autism (09-Aug-02)
	Study plea after new MMR link (09-Aug-02)
	Father takes former wife to court over MMR jab (09-Jul-02)
	Livingstone ‘won’t inflict’ MMR jab on his child (03-Jul-02)
More

Websites
	Charity investigating link
	Dept of Health MMR pages
	Health Education Board for Scotland MMR pages
	JABS - MMR support group

Pneumonia jab plan to cut death toll

Vaccine firm set to lose jabs deal over under-strength drugs

Failing test of looking after our health

Fame game
Award winning Wogan insists his enduring popularity is down to luck.

Al Pacino lightens up in his new film Insomnia at the International film Festival

Browse our award-winning photos and buy online.

The latest news headlines.

Take a look at the weather or join the hunt for Nessie.

Join the exclusive club for real gardeners.

Vaccination News Home Page

ALL INFORMATION, DATA, AND MATERIAL CONTAINED, PRESENTED, OR PROVIDED HERE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS REFLECTING THE KNOWLEDGE OR OPINIONS OF THE PUBLISHER, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED OR INTENDED AS PROVIDING MEDICAL OR LEGAL ADVICE. THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO VACCINATE IS AN IMPORTANT AND COMPLEX ISSUE AND SHOULD BE MADE BY YOU, AND YOU ALONE, IN CONSULTATION WITH YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.

Primary Links

User login

Vaccine firm set to lose jabs deal over under-strength drugs