Serum Institute to seek emergency authorization of Covishield from DCGI in next 2 weeks

Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO ar Poonawalla on Saturday stated that biotech firm is set to apply to Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for an emergency use license of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate - Covishield - in next two weeks. Poonawalla has also shed light upon his discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier today when he h visited Serum Institute in Pune to take stock of vaccine development personally. 

Speaking about his discussions with PM Modi on Saturday, Poonawalla said, "What we discussed is implementation plan which will happen only after an emergency use license is granted, based on data. We are in process of submitting data to DGCI. After that, re will be a discussion with Health Ministry to roll out millions of doses around 2021."

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He also revealed that Centre is likely to purchase nearly 300-400 million doses of vaccine by July 2021. Moreover, he asserted that India will be prioritized first for distribution countries followed by African countries. PM Modi also deliberated upon pros and cons of or COVID vaccine contenders, logistical issues and pricing issues, Poonawalla said. 

PM Modi visits Serum Institute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-city tour on Saturday with his visit to Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune where he undertook an extensive review of COVID-19 vaccine and its progress. On his visit to three institutes, PM Modi was briefed on progress of vaccine to battle COVID-19 as India remains a forerunner in its production and distribution.  

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"Prime Minister stressed that India considers vaccines as t only vital to good health but also as a global good, and it is India’s duty to assist or countries, including nations in our neighbourhood, in collective fight against virus. He asked scientists to express ir free and frank opinion on how country could furr improve its regulatory process. scientists also presented an overview of how y are also developing various new and repurposed drugs to better fight COVID-19," a PMO release stated. 

After a dosing error led to 90% efficacy of coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, it was revealed that Covishield has overall efficacy of over 70% which could go up to 90% if first dose is reduced to half followed by a full dose 21 days later. 

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