Let 10 companies manufacture COVID-19 vaccine: Gadkari bats for increased production of life-saving drugs

May 19, 2021

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said that more pharma companies should be allowed to manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine in order to ensure that the demand for the vaccine is met. During a virtual address to Vice Chancellors of Universities in India, Gadkari said that he will request PM Modi to bring a law that will allow more pharma companies to produce life-saving drugs by paying 10 per cent royalty to patent holders.
“If vaccine demand is more than supply it creates a problem. Instead of 1, let 10 more companies be given license for vaccine manufacture…Let them supply in the country & later if there’s a surplus, they may export. It can be done in 15-20 days,” Gadkari said.
“We want to make Atmanirbhar Bharat…All districts of India should be self-reliant for medical oxygen,” he said. Gadkari, however, noted that India is still dependent on the import of raw material. “We should try to remain positive and self-confident during the pandemic,” he noted.

Gadkari’s comments come at a time when there has been a growing demand for increased demand for the vaccine. Days ago, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had written to PM Modi requesting the Centre to share the formula of the life-saving drug with more vaccine manufacturers.
These two firms (SII and Bharat Biotech) can be given royalty from the profit of other companies for the use of their original formulas – Kejriwal had said.

As reports, over 500 prominent personalities from across fields have written to PM urging him to increase the supply of vaccine and ensure that it reaches all the sections of the society.
Meanwhile, India, on Wednesday, reported 2,67,334 new COVID-19 cases, 3,89,851 discharges and 4,529 deaths – the highest in a single day – in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry.
With this, the total number of cases in the country stands at 2,54,96,330. 2,19,86,363 people have been discharged so far, while the death toll stands at 2,83,248. The number of active cases in India stands at 32,26,719.