Drug firms cut vaccine prices to the developing world

Several major drugs companies have announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the developing world.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Merck, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi-Aventis have agreed to cut prices through the international vaccine alliance Gavi.
GSK said it would cut the price of its vaccine for rotavirus by 67% to $2.50 (£1.50) a dose in poor countries.Rotavirus-related diarrhoea kills more than 500,000 children a year.The vaccine will be subsidised by higher prices being charged in richer countries.The rotavirus vaccine, for example, would cost about $50 in the US.'Helped out'

The vaccines will be sold at a price that covers the drugmakers' costsSeveral major drugs companies have announced big cuts to the amounts they charge for their vaccines in the"What we need is a return to invest in the next generation of new vaccines and drugs and that has to come from the profits of the medicines or the vaccines," Andrew Witty, chief executive of GSK told the BBC.