How Much Did Pharma Make On The H1N1 Vaccines?

Dr Meryl Nass, MD

According to Kalorama Information (which will sell you their research compilation for about $1200): Makers of H1N1 vaccines reported sales of $3.3 billion in 2009, according to company reports reviewed for its title, H1N1 'Swine Flu' Vaccine Market Review'. Remember, these figures are for 2009 only.  According to these official numbers, issued through November 2009, the USA spent 2.254 billion dollars on vaccine antigens, attenuated live vaccine and adjuvants, plus 1.44 billion for state and hospital planning, for a total of 3.694 billion dollars spent on swine flu vaccine preparation.   This may not cover all costs of administration, nor all vaccine costs. The total omits costs for antiviral drug purchases. The average wholesale price for a course of Tamiflu is $53.00. The estimated Tamiflu cost would be $611 million dollars, depending on the price paid. Add the Tamiflu cost to the vaccine costs and you get $4.3 billion spent for the swine flu response in the US alone. Clearly, worldwide spending for H1N1 swine flu vaccine, vaccine administration and antiviral drug costs will amount to much more than the 4 billion dollars recently claimed by an American delegation to a WHO swine flu meeting.

Information Release, Dr Meryl Nass MD