Swiss drug maker Novartis will begin conducting a clinical test Wednesday in Kagoshima Prefecture to confirm the safety and effectiveness of its H1N1 swine flu vaccine, sources familiar with the matter said Saturday.
The test, which will involve about 200 healthy adults in the first stage and around 100 children later, is being conducted so it can export the vaccine to Japan, the sources said.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has said it will allow overseas drugmakers to sell H1N1 vaccines without conducting the usual local testing required by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, and grant approval if the drugs have been approved by drug authorities overseas.