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Regulators examining Pfizer's emergency use authorisation request: Harsh Vardhan

Harsh Vardhan declared India was focussed on developing its own vaccines

harsh vardhan file Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan | PTI

With multiple nations, including the US and UK, having cleared the COVID-19 vaccine being manufactured by Pfizer, the Union health minister has indicated India is looking into an 'emergency use authorisation' sought by the company in the country.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan made the revelation in an interview with ANI, published on Monday. "I have heard that they [Pfizer] have applied for emergency use permission from our regulators. According to my information, our regulators are examining it. If a politician speaks on the matter, which is in the jurisdiction of experts, it will not be appropriate... perhaps they did not take part in the meeting," Harsh Vardhan told ANI.

On December 9, at a meeting of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the application filed by the Indian arm of Pfizer was not taken up for deliberation as the company had sought more time to make its presentation. The meeting had sought more details on the vaccines developed by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India.

Harsh Vardhan told ANI that India was focussed on developing its own vaccines. “Our country is moving towards self-reliance and we are not less than any other country in the world in vaccine development and research," Harsh Vardhan told ANI.

Interestingly, in November, Harsh Vardhan had indicated India may not need the Pfizer vaccine. Harsh Vardhan told Economic Times “the United States has not even given licence to Pfizer. So it does not make sense for other countries like India to consider it. We are in touch with everyone, but I feel that we may not need Pfizer vaccine."

Harsh Vardhan's comments came before the US FDA authorised the use of the Pfizer vaccine. While proven to be effective against COVID-19 in clinical trials, the Pfizer vaccine needs very-low temperatures for storage. Experts had warned this could pose logistical problems in a country like India.

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