Pharmaniaga is selling Sinovac vaccines because it has already fulfilled Putrajaya’s 12-million dose order.
This explanation from Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin came after questions were raised over the government-linked company’s (GLC) plans to sell 14 million doses to the private sector.
He further announced that the government will be regulating the sales.
In an online press conference this afternoon, Khairy clarified that Sinovac was being phased out from the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP) only because supplies have almost finished.
“Sinovac is not being pulled from the NIP. Our Sinovac supplies have been delivered in full to the federal government. That is why less Sinovac might be given under the NIP.
“We have not pulled Sinovac from the NIP. The impression that has been given is as if Sinovac is no longer favoured in the NIP, no (that is not true).
“Pharmaniaga has delivered all its commitment to the federal government,” he stressed.
Opposition MP Ong Kian Ming, who sits on NIP’s Operation Surge Capacity committee, previously offered a similar explanation.
“All Sinovac doses that were bought by the federal government with federal funds have been delivered to the federal government.
“These 14 millon doses are supplies that Pharmaniaga bought from China for the private market,” he tweeted in response to a question on the issue.
Today, Khairy explained that the government was allowing Pharmaniaga to sell Sinovac to get more people vaccinated quicker.
He said that the Special Committee for Ensuring Access to Covid-19 Vaccine Supply (JKJAV) will be regulating the sales, including by setting a ceiling price.
“The JKJAV, co-chaired by (Health Minister) Dr Adham Baba and myself, will meet next week to decide on the guidelines for the private sales of vaccines, including (setting) the ceiling price, so that these vaccines are not sold at too high a price in Malaysia,” he added. - Mkini
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