McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., a subsidiary of McKesson Corporation, one of the leading healthcare services companies, has signed a distribution agreement with GlaxoSmithKline Corporation to distribute Fluarix influenza vaccine.

Under the terms of the agreement, McKesson will be one of two distributors to supply Fluarix influenza vaccine in the United States, once cleared by the US FDA.

It is anticipated that Fluarix will be licensed in the US for the upcoming 2005 influenza season, if it is approved by the FDA on an accelerated basis, states a release.

Gary Muensterman, president of McKesson Medical-Surgical said, "In light of the difficulties resulting from supply shortages in the past, we view this agreement as an opportunity to better serve our customers, and, at the same time, expand our customer base. We have aggressively sought supply partners who can support the rapidly increasing demand for vaccine products."