GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical corporations which covers human healthcare products.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, and with additional operations headquarters in the United States of America, GSK has a global reach in around 160 countries.
GSK’s best selling products include Seretide/Advair for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Paxil/Seroxat and Wellbutrin as anti-depressants; Avanida/Avadmet for type 2 diabetes; and Augmentin as an antibiotic, grossing POUND SIGN 800 million annual sales each.
For developing countries, the company deploys products such as anti-malaria drugs; Zentel for de-worming and prevention of lymphatic filariasis; anti-retrovirals for HIV/AIDS; and tuberculosis drug treatment.
GSK participates in the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), which aims to expand the widespread use of vaccines in developing countries. GAVI has identified three priority diseases, which are Hepatitis B, Heamophilus influenza type b, and yellow fever. The company is a major supplier of the Hepatitis vaccine, with reported supplies amounting to over $200 Million between the years 2001 to 2004.
The company develops and produces vaccines of importance to developing countries, targeting diseases such as Diphtheria, Haemophilus influenza b, Meningococcus meningitis, pertussis, tetanus, typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, polio, rubella, and chickenpox.