Wyeth Reaffirms Distribution Plan for Prevnar(R) (manufacturing problems...)

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Press ReleaseSource: Wyeth

Wyeth Reaffirms Distribution Plan for Prevnar® to Optimize Product

Availability for Children

Thursday February 12, 12:04 pm ET

MADISON, N.J., Feb. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyeth (NYSE: WYE - News)

is informing its customers today that due to temporary supply limitations

of Prevnar®, Pneumococcal 7-valent Conjugate Vaccine (Diphtheria CRM197

Protein), the Company is continuing its allocation program to optimize

access to available doses. All monthly supplies of Prevnar will be

allocated to the CDC and private physicians based on historical monthly

allocations to help ensure the equitable distribution of available vaccine.

Wyeth is experiencing temporary supply limitations due to a recent shutdown

of the Prevnar filling line. Although manufacturing enhancements have been

undertaken and product is currently being manufactured and shipped to

customers in accordance with the allocation program, production issues are

not yet fully resolved and supply will remain limited through the first

half of 2004. Due to the supply limitations, the Advisory Committee on

Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) today issued new interim recommendations temporarily

deferring the administration of the fourth dose of Prevnar for healthy

children.

In 2003, Wyeth supplied over 18 million doses of Prevnar, an increase of 33

percent over the previous year. Overall supply in 2004 is expected to

exceed last year's supply. Wyeth realizes the medical importance of this

vaccine and is committed to optimizing product availability in the months

to come.

Prevnar is the only vaccine available to help prevent pneumococcal

meningitis, otitis media, and bacteremia among infants and young children.

Since its licensure by the FDA in February 2000, Prevnar has become an

important vaccine for children's health -- recommended by the CDC's

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy

of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP),

and covered by virtually every health insurance plan in the United States.

Risks are associated with all vaccines, including Prevnar. Hypersensitivity

to any vaccine component, including diphtheria toxoid, is a

contraindication to its use. Prevnar does not provide 100 percent

protection against vaccine serotypes or protect against nonvaccine

serotypes. See Prescribing Information for indications and usage, dosage

and administration, and safety information.

Wyeth is one of the world's largest research-driven pharmaceutical and

health care products companies. It is a leader in the discovery,

development, manufacturing, and marketing of pharmaceuticals, vaccines,

biotechnology products, and nonprescription medicines that improve the

quality of life for people worldwide. The Company's major divisions include

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare, and Fort Dodge Animal

Health.

This press release sets forth forward-looking statements based on current

expectations of future events that involve risks and uncertainties

including, without limitation, risks associated with manufacturing,

commercialization, economic conditions including interest and currency

exchange rate fluctuations, changes in generally accepted accounting

principles, the impact of competitive or generic products, trade buying

patterns, wars or terrorist acts, product liability and other types of

lawsuits, the impact of legislation and regulatory compliance and obtaining

reimbursement, favorable drug pricing, access and other approvals,

environmental liabilities, and patent, and other risks and uncertainties,

including those detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic

reports, including current reports on Form 8-K, quarterly reports on Form

10-Q and the annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and

Exchange Commission. Actual results may vary materially from the

forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly

update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new

information, future events or otherwise.