Indian vaccine developers and manufacturers have risen to the COVID-19 challenge, and the government would facilitate and support all such efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday at a review meeting for vaccine research and deployment ecosystem.
Modi spoke about regulatory reforms for vaccines, and said that it was a "dynamic process".
"Experts in every current and emerging domain should be used by the regulator proactively, as many new approaches have emerged," the prime minister said in a statement.
India has been considering emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 vaccines, and the country's drug regulator has also been working on special considerations for COVID trials, without compromising safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has also emphasized on conducting "bridging studies" for COVID vaccine candidates that have been developed outside India, before granting them licensure in the country.
Modi also took stock of the health ministry’s comprehensive distribution and delivery mechanism for vaccines. This includes mechanisms for adequate procurement, and technologies for bulk-stockpiling, filling vials for distribution and ensuring effective delivery.
In India, a national committee of experts on vaccine administration chaired by Dr V.K. Paul, member, Niti Aayog is looking at several aspects of vaccine delivery and distribution; sub-groups within the national committee are looking at the issues such as cold chain requirements.
Aside from vaccines, testing for COVID-19 and sero surveys should be scaled up, Modi said. "Facilities to get tested regularly, speedily and inexpensively must be available to all at the earliest," the prime minister's office said in a statement.
There was also a need for continuous and rigorous scientific testing and validation of traditional medicine treatments, Modi said at the meeting, while "appreciating" the efforts of the AYUSH ministry for conducting "evidence-based research" and providing reliable solutions at this time.
AYUSH ministry's recently released protocol for COVID-19 prevention and treatment includes the use of giloy, turmeric-milk and kadha made of spices as effective antidotes to the infectious disease. The protocol also drew criticism from certain sections of medical and public health fraternity over the lack of rigorous scientific trials to test ayurvedic preparations against SARS-COV2.
India was also committed to provide "cost effective", "easily available" and "scalable solutions" for testing, vaccine and medicines for both domestic and international needs, the PM said at the review meeting.
The meeting was attended by Vardhan, Paul, professor K. Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor, senior scientists and other officials.
At the meeting, the PM called for "continued vigilance" and a "high state of preparedness" against the pandemic.
