Danish firm wins licence to supply TB vaccinations

DENMARK’S Statens Serum Institut has won a licence to sell its tuberculosis vaccine in the UK, paving the way for the government to sign it up as an emergency supplier in time for the schools vaccination programme next month.

A Department of Health spokeswoman confirmed that the Medicines Control Agency had awarded a licence to the Danish manufacturer.

The schools vaccination programme came under threat in the summer after the government’s supplier, Powderject Pharmaceuticals, withdrew its anti-TB vaccine (BCG) on concerns over its potency. It admitted then it would not be able to relaunch the vaccine before next April.

Until now Powderject, which manufactures the vaccine at its plant in Liverpool, had been the only company licensed to provide the drug in the UK.

TB has been on the increase recently after falling since the schools programme was first introduced in 1953. The number of cases fell from more than 46,000 in 1953 to 5,500 in 1987. But there were 7,300 last year.

Powderject won the £17m two-year contract in March 2001. At the time it was awarded to both Powderject and the Serum Institut, but until now the Danish firm has been unable to supply the vaccine as it has not had a UK licence.

The contract is due for renewal at the end of this year, although the Department of Health said it could extend the contract for another two years. The spokeswoman said no decision had been taken, but both Powderject and the Danish institute have already said they will be rebidding for the contract.

Government ministers have been keen to minimise the political fallout from the fiasco. Paul Drayson, Powderject’s chief executive, is a Labour party donor who came under the spotlight over allegations that the company had been awarded a £32m smallpox vaccine contract without a proper tendering process.

Meanwhile, the vaccine specialist Acambis has completed production of its smallpox vaccine for the US government and is in the final stages of packaging the doses, according to US reports.

The build-up of a store of smallpox vaccine for use in any bioterrorist attack has been a key aim in America since September 11 last year.

The extra supplies mean the US government now has enough doses to vaccinate every person in the country in the event of a biological attack.