Drug firm Dr Reddy’s Laboratories says further consignments of imported doses are expected to arrive in the country over the upcoming months
People visit a crowded market near the Charminar on the eve of Eid-al-Fitr, during relaxation hours from lockdown, in Hyderabad. Pic/PTI
Drug firm Dr Reddy’s Laboratories on Friday said it has launched Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V in the Indian market with the first dose being administered in Hyderabad, as part of a limited pilot.
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The company said the imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at a maximum retail price of Rs 948, with 5 per cent GST per dose, amounting to '995.4 per dose.
“The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of '948 + 5 per cent GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins,” Dr Reddy’s Laboratories said in a statement.
The first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine landed in India on May 1, and received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on May 13, 2021, it added. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad, Dr Reddy’s said. “Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners,” it added.
The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply, Dr Reddy’s said. The Hyderabad-based firm said that it will work closely with stakeholders in the government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine, as part of the national inoculation effort.
Meanwhile, with 3,43,144 people testing positive for Coronavirus in a day, India’s Covid-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.
Two TN cops die after taking both vax doses
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Easwaran, 52, and Special Sub Inspector, Ravi, 57, lost their lives in the fight against Covid-19. While Easwaran was the ACP attached to the Pallavaram police station passed away on Thursday night, Ravi lost his life on Wednesday night. Both the officers had taken the two doses of vaccine.
TN government fixes ambulance charges
The Tamil Nadu government has fixed charges for ambulances carrying Covid-19 patients. State health secretary J Radhakrishnan in an order issued on Friday said a basic patient transport ambulance can charge an amount of '1,500 for the first 10 km and '25 for every additional kilometre. An ambulance with oxygen life support should not exceed Rs 2,000 for the first 10 km and '50 for every additional kilometre.
States, UTs to get 191.99 lakh vax doses
A total of 191.99 lakh doses of Covid-19 vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — will be supplied to states/UTs free of cost from May 16 to May 31, the Union health ministry said on Friday. The delivery schedule for the allocation will be shared in advance. States/UTs have been requested to direct the officials concerned to ensure rational and judicious utilisation of allocated doses and minimise vaccine wastage, it said. The 191.99 lakh doses include 162.5 lakh Covishield doses and 29.49 lakh Covaxin doses.
Another 13 lives lost at Goa hospital
Thirteen more Covid-19 patients died at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours of Friday, a senior health department official said, taking to 75 the number of people who have succumbed at the government-run facility here in the last four days. The horror at the GMCH is continuing even as the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing petitions related to deaths during the “dark hours” at the premier hospital. While the state government has not revealed the exact cause of recent deaths at the GMCH, it has told the HC that there were “logistic issues” related to supply of medical oxygen to patients.
Also Read: Mumbai: No Covid-19 vaccinations at public centres this weekend
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