Excess H1N1 vaccine could be sold, kept in...

Excess H1N1 vaccine could be sold, kept in reserve

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Excess+H1N1+vaccine+could+sold+kept+reserve/2397560/story.html

Canada ordered 50.4 million doses from GSK and also bought 200,000 doses from Australia for a total price tag of $402.5 million. It wasn't until after the order was placed that it was determined only one dose would be needed to provide immunity. The federal government is covering 60 per cent of the cost and the provinces and territories the rest.

Canada is on the hook to pay for all 50 million doses even if it doesn't want it all.

Germany, for example, has said it wants to sell more than two million of its doses and Spain has been talking to its manufacturers about returning its excess stock. The Swiss government, which ordered 13 million doses for its population of 7.7 million, has said it would be giving up 4.5 million doses. Some will be sold to other countries and some will be donated to the World Health Organization. The agency is collecting vaccine for 95 developing nations that can't afford to buy it. Canada has not definitively said it will donate vaccine to WHO, but it has committed some cash to help with the global pandemic response.

I know vaccine is different from anti-viral, but this is definitely impacting BTA SP.