AABATH BHNADHAVA :
Adar Poonawalla had come as an “AABATH BHANDHAVAN” – RESCUER DURING A CALAMITOUS SITUATION in 2020. When we and the whole country (even the world ) was in Deep Trouble at a loss where to begin. Then our concentration was on procuring Testing kits, Masks, PPE’s, Hospitals and beds and ICU’s, Oxygen equipment , Cylinders . That was the time Researchers in in U.S & U.K and some other parts were simultaneously thinking on Vaccine and fast tracking to deliver.
Adar Poonawalla and the team of S.I.I. had taken interest and made the right contacts and entered in to Manufacturing Vaccine under SII’s Brand Covishield. The investment is SII’s completely. The company also had such a foresight to procure Machinery and other required accessories to produce in very large scale. The target was to produce 1 Billion doses. Notwithstanding all this he had also promised free Doses to India and a major portion to the domestic consumption at a subsidised rate. India also donated to the neighbours and exported to Mexico earning an appreciation that it was like Sanjivini carried by Lord Hanuman.
IN INDIA THERE IS A PRICING AUTHORITY AND RULES THAT HAVE CLASSIFIED THE MARGINS FOR THE VARIOUS CATEGORY. ANY NEW AND RESEARCH PRODUCT IS EXEMPTED FROM THIS; THAT IS TO ENCOURAGE RESEARCH WORK BY THE PHARMA COMPANIES.
Covishield falls in this category. Before claiming anyone as greedy and Profiteering take a couple of leaves from The Connected consumers, Consumer Participation and from this very own Circle. How many complains we have read about Pricing of Medicines, Stents, ortho Fixtures. Why about the covid19 medicine Remdesivir the cost of which inclusive of taxes is 1568 and the course x 6 = around 9,000 ; but we had complaints of shops charging Rs.34,000 for a course in several instances.
All that we have to understand is that the marginal price rise in the Vaccine will only Encourage the manufacturer to go for further research and alleviate human suffering. more