Poor Countries 'Far From Ready' For Flu Pandemic.

"Africa is 'far from being ready' for a pandemic of H1N1 flu, and developing countries in Asia and Latin America will need help accessing life-saving drugs and vaccines, top health officials said on Monday. Addressing the World Health Organization's annual congress... Nigeria's delegate said African countries would face major difficulties responding to an outbreak of H1N1 flu, which has caused mild symptoms in most patients but may be especially threatening to people with HIV/AIDS and other diseases...." [Reuters/Factiva]

Xinhua adds that "...international cooperation must be carried out for a global response to the current A/H1N1 influenza outbreak, Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu said Monday.... Chen also called for more international support for developing countries' health sector. 'The implementation of the health-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has made important progress, but great challenges sill lie ahead,' he told delegates at the meeting. 'The MDGs are strong commitments made by governments around the world, and the shared responsibility for the whole international community,' he added...." [Xinhua/Factiva]

FT reports that "...vaccine manufacturers will hold talks with public health officials Tuesday to discuss price discounts and unprecedented joint manufacturing arrangements to help limit the effects of the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in poorer countries. In a meeting with WHO Director-General Margaret Chan representatives from GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis, Baxter and other vaccine producers will seek clarity on regulation and funding as they debate how best to respond to the virus...." [Financial Times/Factiva]