Malta-based company offers to provide Sputnik V to Haryana

After its global bid to purchase 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses did not get a response, the Haryana government on Saturday said a Maltaheadquartered pharma company has come up with an offer to provide 60 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine.

Pharma Regulatory Services Limited, which gave an expression of interest to provide Sputnik vaccine, is based in the southern European island nation of Malta, a known tax haven. Additional chief secretary (ACS), health, Rajeev Arora said though the offer has come after the due date of the global tender lapsed, it is still being examined to see if it met the criteria of the tender document and ensured optimal vaccine availability for the state. “We are verifying the antecedents of the pharma company. We will also get in touch with the Indian High Commission in Malta to do a thorough check on the company,” said Arora.

An official spokesperson said the Malta-based Pharma Regulatory Services Limited has given an expression of interest to Haryana Medical Services Corporation

Limited (HMSCL) for providing 60 million Sputnik vaccine doses at Rs 1,120 per dose. The firm has given a timeline of 30 days to supply the first batch of half a million (5 lakh) doses, followed by a million doses every 20 days till the supply is completed against a letter of credit issued in their name. The last date for receipt of global tender was June 4. Russian manufactured Sputnik-v is the only vaccine besides Covishield of Serum Institute of India and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech which has been granted emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the Drug Controller General of India.

Over 900 jabbed at Karnal’s drive-through facility

KARNAL: In just three hours, over 900 people were jabbed with the Covid-19 vaccine at the drivethrough facility near Karnal’s Balri bypass, which operates during weekends. Deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav said on Saturday, around 945 people received the jab, of which 914 were in the 18 to 45 years age group. Stating that on-spot registrations are available, the DC informed that the drive-through facility will be running on Sunday as well.