Eating out, poor hand hygiene and erratic weather may be among causes, say medics
Pakistan has reversed a decision which had allowed uncapped prices for COVID-19 vaccines imported by private firms, Health Minister Faisal Sultan said on Thursday.
The development coincided with arrival of first shipment of privately-imported Russian Sputnik-V vaccines.
“This is the first shipment of 50,000 doses which came last night only,” an official of AG Pharma which imported the vaccine told Reuters. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t officially authorized to release the information.
Pakistan, largely reliant on the GAVI/WHO COVAX initiative for poorer nations, had early February allowed private companies to import coronavirus vaccines and agreed to exempt such imports from price caps.
“Now, however, there is a formula, already in vogue, to determine max price,” Sultan told Reuters. “So yes, there is a price cap that DRAP (Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan) will recommend and get approval for,” he said.
The decision to allow commercial imports of the vaccine with an exemption on upper price caps had sparked criticism that it will create inequality.
The government hasn’t decided on the price, the AG Pharma official said. “As soon as government notifies its pricing to us, we will make it available at government registered private sector hospitals,” he said.
Eating out, poor hand hygiene and erratic weather may be among causes, say medics
The goal-scoring striker is suffering from a muscle injury sustained during the Champions League quarter-final loss to Real Madrid
Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, made the announcement on Wednesday
6G will further elevate capabilities of robots, AI, autonomous transport and remote surgery/diagnostics among others
The Nobel laureate has been condemned for partnering with Hillary Clinton, an outspoken supporter of Israel's war against Hamas
Net profit (after tax) up 32% per cent y-o-y to Dh1.45 billion
Goalkeeper Eisa delivered a fantastic performance against Al Hilal to help Al Ain reach the final
Volunteers of the Samantha Kerala Sunni Student Federation used the machine to navigate challenging terrain