Call for review of Covid vaccine’s private import

Islamabad: The Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has urged the prime minister to review the permission for the private import of coronavirus vaccines.

In a letter to prime minister's principal secretary Azam Khan, Transparency International Pakistan vice-chairperson Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal said the federal cabinet had fixed the maximum sale price of Sputnik V Russian vaccine at Rs8,449 for two doses and China's Conividecia at Rs4,225 per injection though across the globe, governments were procuring vaccines and administering to the citizens for free as it was the state's responsibility.

“It may happen that at this inflated cost, the government may also procure vaccine. Similarly, it may also be pointed out that Pakistan is one of the first countries to allow the private sector to import and sell COVID-19 vaccines, and will provide a window of corruption as there are possibilities some of the government vaccine

may be sold to that private hospital.” The Transparency International VP said the global price set for Sputnik v vaccine was $10 per dose but the approved price for its commercial sale in Pakistan was 160% higher than that.

She added that in India, a single dose of Gamalya Centre/Sputnik V vaccine cost less than INR 734. “With this rate, taking into consideration the currency value difference, a single dose of Sputnik V vaccine should cost approx. Rs1,500 in Pakistan. This anomaly of vaccine cost at more than 150 per cent higher than the international market price is another serious issue of overcharging,” she said.

While calling for the disclosure of all COVID vaccine-related information to ensure that the access to vaccine is fair, Justice (r) Nasira Iqbal urged the prime minister to review the policy of allowing the private import of vaccine and cancel it altogether.