Without ‘buyback guarantee’ pharma firms won’t invest in vaccine production: officials

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ISLAMABAD: The government is not ready to invest in the manufacture of indigenous vaccine, without “backed guarantee” by the government of Pakistan, as the process needs a multi -million dollar investment, officials and industry sources told the news.

Despite the annual expenditure of about Rs 67 67 billion on the purchase of the vaccine-currently there is financial support through the domestic budget and the Gavi, vaccine alliance-Pakistan relies heavily on foreign vaccine manufacturers.

After the end of Gavi’s support by 2029, the entire financial burden of security vaccines will be transferred to the federal and provincial governments of Pakistan, which will raise serious questions about stability and self -reliance. Nevertheless, not a single local pharmaceutical company has moved forward to invest in the full development of the vaccine.

Officials from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHS, R&C) and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) said that vaccine production is a high risk, which is a high risk from overseas, transfer of advanced technology, trained human resources, trained human resources and a world -renowned human resources.

“No Pakistani pharmaceutical firm is bound to manufacture vaccine unless the government guarantees buying their products,” a senior health ministry official said. Unfortunately, he said that for the past 10 years, other governments have refused to provide such independent guarantees.

Officials say these guarantees are necessary because the domestic vaccine will be higher in the early years. However, the current purchase rules of Pakistan allow only the lowest cost bids-commonly established by multinational vaccine producers. This creates a structural difference for local manufacturers, who are likely to be out of prices despite their investment.

“Accountability organizations have always been afraid,” the official said. He added that if a government official signs a purchase agreement at a high cost to support local production, he fears that they should be dragged into inquiries or anti -corruption proceedings.

Drip officials made it clear that their role is regular facility, the responsibility of the development of the vaccine is from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the private sector. “We are talking to several international organizations to help build Pakistan’s vaccine capabilities,” said a senior Drip official.

The absence of a comprehensive national strategy, the promises of funds, or the activation of regulatory policies has weakened Pakistan. Apart from the four medicines, no locally manufactured treatment products have been received, disqualifying them for international tenders, which are produced globally by buying agencies such as UNICEF or the World Fund.

Hurry is increasing. Pakistan’s extended program on protective vaccines (EPI) currently provides vaccine for more than 10 diseases, including polio, measles, tuberculosis and hepatitis B. High -cost vaccines such as pneumococcal coinstone (PCV) and the Pentify vaccine are largely subsidized through GAVI. But, with the exit of Gavi, Pakistan should be ready to pay full cost or risk in its security efforts.

To reduce the growing crisis, Pakistani health officials have begun searching for international partnerships. During a recent visit to Bali for the 9th Asia -Pacific leaders on the elimination of malaria, Federal Minister for Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad Bharath spoke to his Indonesian counterpart Buddy Gundi Sadakan on the preparation of a joint vaccine.

Dr. Bharat said, “Indonesia is performing impressively in vaccine manufacturing, and we are looking for partnerships with them to facilitate vaccine production in Pakistan.”

Health experts have warned that unless Pakistan occupies the opportunity to increase local capacity, it may be unable to tolerate itself after the Gavi emission, which causes the spread of diseases, waste of vaccine stocks, and already under further pressure on the delicate health system.

“The development of the vaccine is not just a scientific attempt – this is a political, economic and governance challenge,” said a senior drop official. He said that it requires a high -level, multi -faceted commitment, which includes policy reforms, ease of business, international cooperation, and highly critically supported by the local industry. Unless this happens, Pakistan’s vaccine’s dream of self -sufficiency will be merely a dream.

Chairman of the Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Tafir -ul -Haq, echoed the concerns of industry leaders, saying that no private firm would threaten the investment of millions of dollars in vaccine production without backed guarantee by the government.

“Vaccines are not more and more anti -products that can be sold in pharmacies or medical stores,” he said. They are almost exclusively purchased by governments. Without assurance of purchase, the private sector will not easily decide. “

The model of a well -made public private partnership (PPP) is the most viable path forward, where the government provides a capable environment, financial privileges and regulatory support to start the development of domestic vaccine development and ensure its stability, said Tafir -ul -Haq.