Serum CEO Adar Poonawalla justifies Rs 600 per dose price of Covishield
Addressing the scepticism over Covishield prices, Poonawalla said there was an inaccurate comparison between global prices of the vaccine with India, adding that it is the cheapest COVID-19 vaccine available
- Apr 24, 2021,
- Updated Apr 24, 2021 9:46 PM IST
Covishield is the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine available in the market today, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said in response to the criticism overpricing of the jab made by his company. He said the Covishield price has been determined to ensure sustainability so that when the need arises, there are funds at hand to invest in scaling up and expanding production capacity.
Serum Institute, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world by volume, is manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca for supply across the world. In India, this jab is being sold under the name Covishield.
In the initial phases of India's vaccination drive, Serum Institute was providing Covishield to the central government at Rs 150 per dose. Before the third phase of the programme begins on May 1, the vaccine manufacturer has announced that it will supply the shot at Rs 400 per dose to state governments and Rs 600 per dose to private hospitals.
(Edited by Vivek Punj)
Covishield is the most affordable COVID-19 vaccine available in the market today, Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said in response to the criticism overpricing of the jab made by his company. He said the Covishield price has been determined to ensure sustainability so that when the need arises, there are funds at hand to invest in scaling up and expanding production capacity.
Serum Institute, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world by volume, is manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca for supply across the world. In India, this jab is being sold under the name Covishield.
In the initial phases of India's vaccination drive, Serum Institute was providing Covishield to the central government at Rs 150 per dose. Before the third phase of the programme begins on May 1, the vaccine manufacturer has announced that it will supply the shot at Rs 400 per dose to state governments and Rs 600 per dose to private hospitals.
(Edited by Vivek Punj)