
American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has stopped selling one of its lucrative vaccines for children in China, the company said.
Pfizer gave no explanation for stopping its sales of the Prevnar vaccine, which helps prevent infections such as pneumonia, which killed an estimated 935,000 children under the age of five globally in 2013, according to the World Health Organization.
"Based on a careful assessment of this situation, we have decided to cease our vaccines commercial operations in China at this time, effective immediately," a spokeswoman said in an email Thursday, adding that the drug's import license had expired.
Pfizer anticipates a shortage of Prevnar in China before the sale of a new vaccine can begin.
Prevnar vaccines generated $4.5 billion in revenue last year for Pfizer. They are the second largest contributor to the company's revenues, according to Pfizer's annual report.
The spokeswoman said that the other activities of the company, which employs about 9,000 people in China, were not affected. China is one of Pfizer's largest markets after the US and Canada.
About 200 positions at the company will be affected by the end of the vaccine sale.
The setback comes as pharmaceutical companies have struggled to gain Chinese authorities' approval for many of their drugs.
Pfizer said it is in talks with Chinese regulators to register and provide an improved vaccine "as soon as possible."
GMT 18:35 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Syrian refugee sets himself ablaze at UN office in LebanonGMT 18:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Novo Nordisk woos Belgian nano-drug makerGMT 17:54 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Medical evacuations begin from besieged Syria rebel bastionGMT 12:14 2017 Monday ,25 December
MoHAP successfully conducts cochlear implant operationGMT 18:24 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Palestinian conjoined twins arrive in RiyadhGMT 19:05 2017 Monday ,18 December
new! magazine names fitness & food editorGMT 17:03 2017 Wednesday ,29 November
Spain reports case of 'mad cow disease'GMT 14:05 2017 Saturday ,11 November
EU can't agree on new licence for controversial glyphosate weedkiller
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor