Posted on Fri, Jul. 09, 2004
Chiron fined for exports to Cuba
By Judy Silber
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
The U.S. Treasury Department reported that it has fined biotechnology firm Chiron Corp. $168,500 for illegally exporting goods to Cuba.
According to Chiron, from 1999 to 2002, the Emeryville-based company shipped five vaccines for infants and children to Cuba from its plants in Germany and Italy.
The company held a license to export one vaccine through UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, but didn't have clearance to ship the other four. A routine audit in 2002 uncovered the oversight, said John Gallagher, Chiron's spokesman. Chiron voluntarily disclosed the error to the Treasury Department and negotiated a settlement, he said.
"We recognize that it was a violation, and it was our responsibility to bring it to the attention of the government," Gallagher said.
The company is now legally shipping all five vaccines, including polio, haemophilus influenza, flu, rabies and a vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella.
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http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/9115204.htm?1c