The GAVI Alliance announced that GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Pfizer became “the first two companies to make long-term commitments to supply new vaccines against pneumococcal disease” under the Advance Market Commitment (AMC) for pneumococcal disease. The AMC has been supported by the governments of Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, Norway and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. GAVI CEO Julian Lob-Levyt said, “Today’s landmark announcement promises to make new vaccines available affordably, where they are urgently needed, and faster than ever before. Through this AMC, and thanks to the political will demonstrated by donors and least developed nations and the participation of the pharmaceutical companies, prevention against the world’s biggest childhood killer is now within reach.” GAVI estimates that the introduction of suitable and affordable vaccines against the disease could save approximately 900,000 lives by 2015 and up to seven million lives by 2030.

Pfizer and GSK “have committed to supply 30 million doses each per year, for a 10 year period…(to be) made available at US$ 3.50 per dose to be paid by GAVI and the developing country governments that introduce the vaccines.” GAVI said that, for approximately 20% of the doses, companies will also receive an additional payment of US$3.50 for each dose they provide, which is paid with donor commitments (AMC funds). In total, this is a fraction of the current cost of pneumococcal vaccines in many industrialised countries, GAVI noted.

http://www.gavialliance.org/media_centre/press_releases/2010_03_23_amc_commitment.php