It has been 11 years since Chennai city based BCG Laboratory was shut down by the union health ministry.
The sensation news now is this laboratory has once again started mass production of anti-tuberculosis vaccine. With the preparation medium, the first stage of production has started. Before the month of July in the year 2020, the first batch that would be used in the India’s universal immunisation programme would be rolled out.
Established in the year 1948 (71 years back), BCG Laboratory was given permission by CDSCO or Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation in October to resume the production of anti-vaccine for TB in the new building. Within 6 months of time, the first batch of vaccine is expected to be out and this was confirmed by Mr. B. Sekar, lab director.
He brought out that BCG labs has got a capacity to produce 600 lakhs doses and atleast 300 lakhs doses would be rolled out by 2020 and these vaccines could be utilized for the universal immunisation programme. He hinted about the up-gradation and said soon 500 lakhs doses would be produced.
It is important to note that each vial would be packed with 10 doses of freeze dried (powdered) form of the vaccine. Many private manufacturers have been supplying vaccines for the children now. It is revealed that once the supply starts then the country would be able to bring down the cost at which it purchases the vaccines for the children.
It is superb to mention here that the cost would come down to 40% and this is as per rough estimate. As per a senior official in the union ministry in New Delhi, the cost per vial is being worked out now.
It must not be forgotten that on 16th January in 2008, production of anti-TB vaccines was suspended by the union government in atleast 3 central laboratories including BCG Labs. Point is since 2008 centre has been buying most of the drugs from private manufacturers. The suspension of licence was revoked in the year 2010 on a condition that labs put in place good manufacturing practices and infrastructure etc.