GlaxoSmithKline applies to enter U.S. flu vaccine market

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ GlaxoSmithKline has applied to enter the US flu-vaccine market. <br/><br/>The pharmaceutical giant says its vaccine, which is available in other countries, is needed in the United States

Thursday, May 26th 2005, 9:32 am

By: News On 6

PHILADELPHIA (AP) _ GlaxoSmithKline has applied to enter the US flu-vaccine market.

The pharmaceutical giant says its vaccine, which is available in other countries, is needed in the United States because a nationwide shortage of vaccine panicked people in the winter.

GlaxoSmithKline has applied to the US Food and Drug Administration for permission to sell Fluarix. The vaccine already is available in more than 75 countries.

The US flu-shot supply suddenly dropped by half in the fall when contamination concerns led British authorities to shut down a Chiron Corporation vaccine plant.

GlaxoSmithKline is British owned and has US headquarters in Philadelphia and North Carolina