>>GAITHERSBURG, Md. and MELVILLE, N.Y., June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MedImmune, Inc. (Nasdaq: MEDI - News) and Henry Schein (Nasdaq: HSIC - News) announced today that Henry Schein has been selected as the exclusive U.S. distributor of MedImmune's FluMist(TM) (Influenza Virus Vaccine Live, Intranasal) for the upcoming flu season. MedImmune, which has exclusive rights to manufacture and market FluMist, will oversee all sales and marketing activities with special emphasis on pediatricians and pharmacies. In addition to selling FluMist, Henry Schein will respond to customer product inquiries, process returns, and promote the product through marketing initiatives to primary care physicians.
MedImmune also announced today that it has substantially reduced the price of FluMist to approximately one-half of what the vaccine was available for last season. Henry Schein will sell FluMist to physicians and pharmacies for $23.50 per returnable dose.
Henry Schein is one of the leading distributors of vaccines in the United States and the largest provider of healthcare products and services to office- based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets. FluMist will be available through Henry Schein, as well as its Caligor Medical and General Injectables & Vaccines (GIV) businesses. Effective immediately, Henry Schein and its subsidiaries are ready to take orders for FluMist for the upcoming flu season. Henry Schein typically begins shipping flu vaccines in late summer.
"As an important new option in the ongoing fight against the most frequent cause of death in the United States from a vaccine-preventable disease, it is important that healthcare providers include FluMist in their arsenal of flu- prevention options for their patients," said Armando Anido, R.Ph., senior vice president, commercial operations, MedImmune, Inc. "Along with MedImmune's industry-leading pediatric sales and marketing team, Henry Schein is uniquely suited to reach the large and diverse community of healthcare providers who administer flu vaccinations in the United States."
"The ability to offer FluMist is consistent with our commitment to meeting the needs of our healthcare provider customers," said Michael Racioppi, R.Ph., president, medical group, Henry Schein. "Our hope is that with the availability of FluMist -- the first innovation in flu prevention in over 50 years -- even more people will receive a flu vaccination."
FluMist is manufactured and marketed by MedImmune Vaccines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of MedImmune, Inc. For more information on the 2004-2005 supply of FluMist, and to place an order, healthcare providers are encouraged to call (877) FLUMIST to speak with a Henry Schein representative. Orders can also be placed through the Henry Schein website at henryschein.com.
About FluMist
FluMist is the first live, attenuated influenza vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A and B viruses in healthy children and adolescents, 5 to 17 years of age, and healthy adults, 18 to 49 years of age.
There are risks associated with all vaccines, including FluMist. FluMist does not protect 100 percent of individuals vaccinated. FluMist is not indicated for immunization of individuals less than 5 years of age, or 50 years of age and older. FluMist is contraindicated in persons with hypersensitivity to any component of the vaccine, including eggs; in children and adolescents receiving aspirin therapy or aspirin-containing therapy; in individuals with a history of Guillain-Barre syndrome; and in individuals with known or suspected immune deficiency. The safety and efficacy of FluMist have not been established in pregnant women or for patients with chronic underlying medical conditions, including asthma or reactive airways disease; the vaccine should not be administered to these patients. In placebo-controlled clinical trials, the most common solicited adverse events in healthy children (n=214) included runny nose/nasal congestion, cough, irritability, headache, decreased activity, sore throat, fever (oral temperature >100 degrees F), muscle aches, chills, and vomiting. The most common adverse events in healthy adults (n=2,548) included runny nose, headache, sore throat, tiredness/weakness, muscle aches, cough, and chills. See Prescribing Information for indications and usage, dosage and administration, and safety information.
About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500® company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups -- Dental, Medical, International and Technology -- serve more than 425,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company's sales reached a record $3.4 billion in 2003.
The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products.
Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions, including such leading practice management software systems as DENTRIX® and Easy Dental® for dental practices, and AVImark® for veterinary clinics, which are installed in over 50,000 practices; and ArubA®, Henry Schein's electronic catalog and ordering system.
Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs nearly 8,000 people in 16 countries. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at henryschein.com. <<
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A good move, IMO. Going to watch MEDI more closely now.
Cheers, Tuck |
