The prospects of production of coronavirus vaccine in Pakistan look certain now as SEARLE Company Limited, a Pakistani pharmaceutical company, has entered into an agreement with a Chinese firm for the purpose on Friday.
SEARLE has inked an agreement with a Chinese firm for the licensing and supply of the vaccine.
According to the local pharmaceutical company, success rates of the first and second clinical trials of the locally produced vaccine have been excellent while in the third phase more than 20,000 persons would be administered the vaccine to check its efficacy.
SEARLE has provided these details to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in writing.
In light of the third wave of the pandemic, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has called off all hearings until April 11, says a notification issued by the Registrar’s Office on Friday.
The decision was taken after coronavirus infections in the capital city increased. The notification was passed on orders of Chief Justice Athar Minallah.
Only important cases will be heard during this time. These cases will be decided by the chief justice, the instructions added.
The third wave of coronavirus has tightened its grip in Punjab, Islamabad, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to experts, the rise in cases is because of the UK variant.
Educational institutions in these provinces have all been closed.
The news of localised production of an anti-Covid vaccine comes on the heels of a private hospital in Karachi is reportedly fleecing people by excessively charging for two-dose Russian-made Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik-V.
According to the sources, a private medical facility in Karachi has started bookings for administering the Covid-19 vaccine.
The hospital is reportedly charging Rs6,134 for a single dose of Sputnik-V vaccine along with Rs2,500 as administrative charges, separately. Simultaneously, Rs12,268 are being charges from the masses willing to get Sputnik-V two-doses with Rs5,000 as administrative charges, separately.
As per policy, the 15 per cent charges of vaccine are included in the price of the vaccine, but the hospital is reportedly unduly charging the masses.
It is to be noted that the matter of fixing the price of the Russian Sputnik-V vaccine, imported by a private pharmaceutical company, is currently under hearing at the Sindh High Court (SHC).
On March 18, a pharmaceutical company of Pakistan had received the first consignment of the Russian-made Sputnik-V vaccine.
An official of the private firm said that the price of the vaccine will be fixed by the government soon. The Covid-19 vaccines would remain stored at the cold storage till approval of the price by the government.
Meanwhile, traffic police have issued 23,875 challans for cars and motorcycles in three days in Lahore over violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) designated to control coronavirus pandemic.
Twelve cases have also been registered for not implementing the orders in public transport while 181 vehicles have also been seized for travelling with over 50 per cent passenger capacity.
