INDIA – Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has initiated supply of the first dose component of Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V to partner hospitals all over India.
The pharma giant advised that the Russian vaccine, which is administered in two doses with a 21-day gap, should be taken from the same hospital.
The development follows the announcement that Panacea Biotec supplied the first shipment of the second component of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine manufactured by it for sale in the country.
Dr Reddy’s earlier suspended the supply of the first dose of Sputnik V following supply constraints from Russian Direct Investment Fund.
A Dr Reddy’s spokesperson also said the supply of the first does is followed by equivalent quantities of the second dose component, according to a PTI report.
The city-based drug maker also launched a website to keep the public updated on the availability of the Sputnik V vaccine the site contains a list of cities, towns and hospitals where the vaccine is available.
“As announced by our partners, the RDIF and Panacea Biotec, supply of the second dose component manufactured by Panacea Biotec has now commenced. Dr. Reddy’s has initiated supply of the first dose component to partner hospitals all over India followed by equivalent quantities of the second dose component,” the spokesperson said.
With more batches of the second dose component to follow from the manufacturing site, Dr Reddy’s expects the momentum and supply to continue, the official added.
Dr Reddy’s is in a pact with RDIF to sell the first 125 million people doses (250 million vials) of coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in India.
Last month, Dr Reddy’s had said that ‘Made in India’ Sputnik V jabs are likely to be available from September-October.
It had said, “We expect that locally manufactured doses are likely to be available from the September-October period.”
India logged 37,875 new cases of coronavirus infection taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,30,96,718, while the active cases declined to 3,91,256, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated today.
The death toll climbed to 4,41,411 with 369 fresh fatalities, according to the data. The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
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