The Indian government on Tuesday decided to speed up the process of emergency approvals of Covid-19 vaccines that have granted emergency use abroad (EUA). But while the center has opened an explicit access route for foreign-made vaccines developed by Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson to enter India, the global commitments of these companies and the time it would take to comply internationally , leading to delays in their entry into the Indian market.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, “this decision will facilitate faster access to such foreign vaccines by India and will encourage the importation, including the importation of bulk drug material, the optimal utilization of domestic filling and finishing capacity, etc., Which in turn provides the vaccine filling capacity and total availability of vaccines for domestic use. “
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS
The pharmaceutical companies have already committed a large amount of vaccines for the US as well as the EU.
Pfizer has received US $ 2 billion from the US to supply vaccines to the country. The company is delivering 600 million doses to the US by July this year. Pfizer must also deliver 500 million doses to the European Union by the end of 2021.
Pfizer said in an official statement: ‘We have taken note of the recent announcement regarding the regulatory path for global vaccinations. We are still committed to continuing our involvement with the government in making the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine available for use in the government’s vaccination program in the country. ”
The vaccine commitments for Moderna include delivering 300 million doses to the US, 150 million doses to the EU by the end of this year, 50 million doses to Japan, and approximately 50 million doses to Canada and South Korea.
The company also received millions of dollars from the US government to meet these obligations at a steady pace.
MODERNA IN TALKING WITH TATA GROUP?
In India, sources said Moderna was in talks with the Tata group to bring the vaccine to India. There is no official confirmation from the Tata group about this yet.
A government official said: ‘(It is) difficult to comment on TATA. It is their mutual decision. Modern conversations are held continuously. Hopefully they will decide to come to India. ”
Although the United States has ordered a large portion of the supplies from Moderna and Pfizer, both companies must also fulfill their commitments to at least more than ten countries.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON ALREADY ON HIS PATH?
As for J&J, sources have confirmed that the company will soon submit an emergency use authorization to the Indian Drug Regulator. Sources said that J&J has collaborated with the Indian firm Biological E Ltd and is currently in talks with the government about the price of the vaccine.
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