To: Joe Copia who wrote (82012 ) 3/16/2001 1:08:29 PM From: Joe Copia Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 150070 Thursday March 15, 11:31 am Eastern Time Press Release SOURCE: GlaxoSmithKline plc Major Initiative by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals Will Save Even More Lives New Auto-Disable Syringe Prevents Re-Use PHILADELPHIA, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major contribution to international public health, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Biologicals will, starting in March 2001, make new disposable syringes that are difficult to use more than once. These will be available with all vials of liquid pediatric vaccines delivered to developing countries and emerging markets. GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals is the first vaccine manufacturer to take this initiative, which will save lives and prevent illness by further helping to stem the spread of infections such as hepatitis B or HIV (the AIDS virus) through the re-use of contaminated syringes. The auto-disable (A-D) syringes, developed by US syringemanufacturer UNIVEC Farmingdale, New York will be delivered to developing countries by GSK with all vials of its liquid pediatric vaccines. Their design ensures that when the plunger is fully depressed it locks in that position and cannot be pulled back for further use. While standard disposable syringes and needles are now used in nearly half of all immunizations, the practice of re-using them is widespread particularly in developing countries, with the consequent risk of transmitting blood-borne diseases from vaccinee to vaccinee. It is now WHO-UNICEF policy that the A-D syringe is the equipment of choice for administering vaccines, both in routine immunization and in mass vaccination campaigns. Jean Stephenne, President and General Manager GSK Biologicals, said: ``At GlaxoSmithKline, as well as supplying safe and effective vaccines, we care about what happens to our products after they leave the company. As part of that continuing concern, we have now become the first vaccine manufacturer to supply auto-disable syringes with all vials of our liquid pediatric vaccines delivered to developing countries. We believe this is a further important contribution to worldwide public health.'' GSK Biologicals will start supplying all vials of liquid pediatric vaccines with A-D syringes to countries including Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South East and South West Asia and other emerging markets. Located at Rixensart in Belgium, GSK Biologicals specialize in vaccine research, development and production. It is part of GlaxoSmithKline, one of the world's leading pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. GSK Biologicals employs more than 900 research scientists in its quest for new vaccines. They are involved in developing and clinically testing more cost-effective and convenient products to prevent the infections which cause serious worldwide medical problems. In 2000, the company distributed over 1.1 billion doses of vaccines to 177 countries, an average of 35 doses a second. GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK - news) -- one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information on GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and vaccines, visit www.worldwidevaccines.com and for company information on GlaxoSmithKline visit www.gsk.com. SOURCE: GlaxoSmithKline plc