# 828
Earlier today, the Health Minister of Indonesia, Sit Fadilah Supari, announced that human trials of a bird flu vaccine developed by Baxter would begin in July.
Hours later, a spokesman for Baxter refuted that statement. This from the AP.
Baxter: No avian flu trials announced for Indonesia
CHICAGO (AP) -- Drug manufacturer Baxter Healthcare Corp. said Wednesday it has not announced plans for clinical tests of a bird flu vaccine in Indonesia, contradicting the country's top health official.
Health minister Siti Fadilah Supari told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Indonesia will stockpile millions of doses of the vaccine. She said Baxter's "clinical trial involving hundreds of participants will start in July" and should be concluded by October.
Hours later, Baxter spokesman Chris Bona said the Deerfield, Ill.-based company has a "memorandum of understanding" with the Indonesian government to continue discussions about a possible avian flu outbreak, but has not made a supply agreement.
"We haven't announced the start of clinical trials in Asia," he said. The company has previously announced clinical trials of the vaccination in Europe.
