Japan gov`t panel conditionally OKs sales of imported new-flu vaccines+

TOKYO, Dec. 26 Kyodo -
A Japanese government panel conditionally approved Sunday the domestic sale of
new-flu vaccines made by British and Swiss companies, paving the way for their
use in Japan as early as February.
A working group of the drug and food hygiene advisory panel to the health
ministry reached the conclusion that there would be no problems with their use
if the results of clinical tests by the two makers are reported promptly,
ministry officials said.
Japan has concluded import contracts with the two companies, with vaccines for
7.4 million people to be purchased from GlaxoSmithKline of Britain and those
for 2.5 million people from Novartis of Switzerland.
Based on data on clinical tests conducted by the two firms in Japan, the
working group judged that their products satisfy international safety and
effectiveness standards, the officials said.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will start soliciting public opinions
Monday about the working group's conclusion, they said.
If procedures go smoothly, the imported new-flu vaccines can be used in Japan
from early February, they said.
==Kyodo