Now we’re talking!
In what could be seen as the fence eating the crop, the shutting down of public sector vaccine units is costing the government! Report by Kounteya Sinha in The Times of India.
NEW DELHI: Shutting down manufacturing of vaccines at the public sector vaccine units is costing the government dear. Take the example of the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis. It used to cost the health ministry Rs 13 per vial in 2007-08 when it was being supplied by the public sector BCG Lab in Chennai. Now with vaccine production in the lab shut, due to “supposed non-adherence” with WHO’s good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards, the ministry is purchasing the same vaccine at more than double the cost from the private sector.
journalistsagainsttb 
Interesting article. I think when it comes to production of vaccines, it’s important to adhere to global standards. And if that means it will cost more for the Government, then so be it! All those politicians seem to have enough money in their coffers to keep us all healthy. Maybe it’s time they cough up the cash?
Anu Kalgudi
February 24, 2011 at 5:32 am
Well said Anu!
JournalistsAgainstTB
February 24, 2011 at 2:46 pm