The R&D-based pharmaceutical and vaccine industry contributes to the management of a possible influenza pandemic in several major ways:

1. Supply of antiviral medicines
2. Supply of influenza vaccines
3. Voluntary contributions
4. Business continuity measures to ensure ongoing supply of essential medicines

Antiviral medicines for influenza
Modern antivirals for treating influenza include oseltamivir (Tamiflu®), marketed by Roche, and zanamivir (Relenza®), marketed by GlaxoSmithKline.  Both are reported as effective against the H1N1 influenza virus strain.

For more information on antivirals for influenza, please refer to:
GlaxoSmithKline – www.gsk.com
Roche – www.roche.com

Influenza vaccines
With the heightened influenza pandemic phase level, the IFPMA initiated regular technical information exchanges between its influenza vaccine member companies, other vaccine manufacturers and the relevant departments within the WHO. Timely exchange of critical information between the WHO, national health bodies in key countries and vaccine manufacturers was essential for the speedy development, testing and production of a targeted H1N1 influenza “pandemic” vaccine. IFPMA members have developed vaccines to protect against the H1N1 influenza (“swine flu”) strain which are now being used in vaccination campaigns.

For the regulatory approval status of H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccines around the world, please click here.

For more information about influenza and influenza vaccines, please refer to the IFPMA’s Influenza Vaccines web resource: http://www.ifpma.org/Influenza/index.aspx

Voluntary contributions
For more information on industry´s contributions to the World Health Organization and developing countries, please click here.

The research-based pharmaceutical industry has come forward to help with donations during this health crisis.  For example, the contributions to Mexico include the following:  Abbott – antibiotics, painkillers, adult nutritionals and diagnostic tests; GlaxoSmithKline – 50,000 doses of seasonal influenza vaccine; and Merck & Co. - 80,000 doses of pneumococcal vaccine.

Business continuity measures
IFPMA members have developed business continuity plans, to ensure that they are able to maintain production and distribution of essential medicines during a possible influenza pandemic. 

For more information on the IFPMA business continuity guidelines, please refer to:
http://www.ifpma.org/Influenza/index.aspx?015_Business_Continuity.html

These guidance documents are available in the following languages:  English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.