Dispelling worries created by the sudden imposition of its ban on export of vaccines, India on Monday assured Bangladesh of the timely availability of the antidote to Covid-19 infection.
The news circulated by the Associated Press (AP) quoting the CEO Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India (SII) on Sunday that the government of India barred the institute from exporting vaccines stirred up serious concern among the general people and the policymakers in Bangladesh.
Dhaka some weeks back had signed a contract with the SII to procure 30 million doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca in six phases. The SII is contracted through the BeximcoPharma to make available 5.0 million doses every month.
In another development, the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) on the day issued its 'no objection' certificate to use of the Oxford vaccine soon after the BeximcoPharma submitted all the relevant documents.
The ministries of health and foreign affairs held a series of urgent meetings and consultations as the news broke about the Indian ban. The Bangladesh foreign ministry officials contacted their counterparts in India to convey their concern.
The ban will not be effective in the case of Bangladesh which will get the vaccine as soon as it is available in India, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said quoting Indian external affairs ministry.
He was talking to reporters after a meeting in the city.
Asked about the latest update about the access to Oxford vaccine, the minister said, "We have contacted them after media reports on the ban on vaccine exports. They had assured us that the decision to provide vaccine to Bangladesh was taken at the highest level and that would be implemented. Nobody has to worry or get panicked".
The company has been contracted to make 1 billion doses of the vaccine for developing nations.
But the Indian external affairs ministry told us that the ban will not affect India's commitment to Bangladesh regarding access to the vaccine, Dr Momen said.
They also told us that the statement of the CEO of Serum ' is premature and it does not reflect the policy of the Indian government', said the foreign minister.
We hope that we will get the vaccine on time, he added.
Responding to a question he said the government was also trying to have access to Covid vaccines from other sources.
Meanwhile, Health minister Dr Zahid Maleque told reporters they have contacted the Indian counterpart through various sources like the ministry of foreign affairs and high commissions of both countries.
"And we've been assured the agreement will not be hampered. So, we hope that we will get the vaccines as per the agreement," he said.
But the minister could not specify when the vaccine would arrive in Bangladesh.
"We can't confirm it … We were sure even yesterday (Sunday) that we will get vaccines. Today we've heard about the embargo. It was an international contract, I hope India will honour it," he said.
"We're continuing discussions. We will let you know the update in a few days," Mr Maleque said, adding that the government has also been in touch with other possible sources of vaccine.
Secretary of the health services division Abdul Mannan at the briefing said he spoke with the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and it assured him that the embargo had been issued against commercial activities and it will not hamper the contract.
Claiming the Beximco's contract a G2G (government to government) deal, the secretary said there is nothing to be worried.
Beximco Pharma's CEO Rabbur Reza dismissed the fear over timely availability of vaccine, saying that they will receive the doses on time.
"We've spoken about the matter with the Serum Institute today. We are certain that we will get the vaccine from India as per the contract," he said.
About the timeframe, he said, "I can't tell you when exactly we may get it. But as per our contract, we will receive the doses from the first lot within a month after its approval in Bangladesh."
The country's drug regulator Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) issued NOC (no objection certificate) to Beximco Pharmaceuticals soon after the pharma company applied for approval in using the antidotes among the vulnerable groups of people.
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