Moderna will sell vaccine to government only: Anutin
The manufacturer of Moderna vaccine is willing to sell its Covid-19 vaccine to the Thai government but not directly to private companies, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday.
“The ministry will register Moderna vaccine as soon as possible provided that the manufacturer submits all required documents and receives the Food and Drug Administration [FDA]’s approval,” said Anutin, speaking after meeting with representatives of Zuellig Pharma Ltd, the importer of Moderna vaccine in Thailand.
“The government does not obstruct the importation of Covid-19 vaccine by private parties, but Moderna and most other manufacturers insist that they will sell to the government only,” he added.
Anutin said the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation [GPO] would import the vaccine and then sell doses to private companies later. He said private companies who wish to buy the vaccine must submit the quantity desired to the GPO.
Three vaccine brands are currently registered for emergency use in Thailand – AstraZeneca, Sinovac and Johnson & Johnson – while the Pfizer, Moderna and Sputnik V brands are awaiting registration.
Zuellig Pharma submitted vaccine registration documents last week and the process should be completed this month, said FDA secretary-general Dr Phaisan Dankhum.
He added that the importers of Covaxin and Sputnik V vaccines had submitted some documents, but the FDA is waiting for the rest in order to complete the registration process.