No cost acquired from Brazil govt, ‘step-by-step’ strategy adopted: Bharat Biotech over Covaxin deal row

Following the short-term suspension of Bharat Biotech’s cope with Brazil for 20 million doses of the Covaxin Covid vaccine, the pharmaceutical firm has clarified that it had not acquired any cost from the Government of Brazil to date.
“As of 29th June 2021, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to Ministry of Health Brazil,” the corporate assertion reads.
Regarding the pricing of the doses, the corporate mentioned, “The pricing of Covaxin has been clearly established between $15-20 per dose for supplies to governments outside India. The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at $15 per dose,” information company PTI reported.

It added that Bharat Biotech adopted a “step-by-step approach” in direction of contracts and regulatory approvals in an eight-month-long course of. “A similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals and supplies in several countries worldwide, where Covaxin is being supplied successfully,” the corporate mentioned within the assertion.
Bharat Biotech had acquired emergency use approval in Brazil on June 4, after the National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil- Anvisa, allowed import of the Covid vaccine with sure situations.
On Wednesday, Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga introduced that the corporate had quickly suspended its cope with the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm following allegations of irregularities within the deal.
“According to CGU’s preliminary analysis, there are no irregularities in the contract, but, due to compliance, the @minsaude opted to suspend the contract for further analysis,” the well being minister tweeted.
Stating that the choice doesn’t impression Brazil’s vaccination drive, Queiroga added, “It is noteworthy that the @govbr did not pay ANY CENT for the Covaxin vaccine.”

Earlier, two testimonies by whistleblowers earlier than a parliamentary panel blamed President Jair Bolsonaro and his highly effective coalition chief for agreeing to purchase the Indian vaccine at a worth that was allegedly greater than that of different choices accessible out there — that too, when it lacked native regulatory approval.
In response, the corporate had acknowledged, “We strongly refute and deny any kind of allegation or implication of any wrongdoing whatsoever with respect to the supply of Covaxin.” The firm additionally mentioned that Madison Biotech was its international gross sales and advertising unit, Reuters reported.
With inputs from businesses