To roll vaccines for measles, BCG, rabies (Human), Japanese encephalitis and Hib for supplying to National Immunisation programme
HLL Biotech Ltd (HBL), a subsidiary of HLL Lifecare Ltd (HLL), a Government of India Enterprise under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has notched up another major milestone by becoming the first public sector undertaking to launch cost-effective Pentavalent vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine in the country.
Lov Verma, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government Of India launched the new vaccines at his chamber. Dr M Ayyappan, Chairman, HBL was present during the occasion.
Verma said that launch of Pentavalent vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine manufactured by HBL is a milestone of HBL’s vaccine project “Integrated Vaccines Complex” for making available cost effective vaccines. This will primarily strengthen the Immunisation programme of India”.
A large number of babies born every year in India do not have access to newer vaccines like Pentavalent vaccine. The launch of PENTAHIL will make available cost effective Pentavalent vaccine, to protect them from five potentially deadly diseases by a single injection. By the launch of PENTAHIL and HIVAC-B, HBL will fill the gap of availability for affordable vaccines in the country.
In order to minimise the danger arising from the volatility of the global market, and thereby ensure long term national health security; NHP-2002 (National Health Policy) envisages that not less than 50 per cent of the requirement of vaccines will be sourced from public sector institutions. The launch of PENTAHIL and HIVAC B by HBL will strengthen the health policy of the country by making available Pentavalent vaccine and Hepatitis B vaccine in public sector.
Dr M Ayyappan, Chairman, HBL said that “The launch of PENTAHIL and HIVAC –B vaccines is a remarkable achievement to HBL and this proves that public sector organisations can deliver effectively, if given the freedom to operate”.
He also said that the construction of “Integrated Vaccines Complex” (IVC) is progressing as per schedule and once commissioned, HBL will roll out other vaccines like Measles, BCG, Rabies (Human), Japanese encephalitis and HIB vaccines for supplying to national immunisation programme. The IVC project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in its meeting held on 26th April, 2012 and the IVC was declared as a “Project of National Importance”.
The PENTAHIL and HIVAC B will be made available initially in Indian private market, starting with Kerala and Tamil Nadu and followed by pan India marketing. Subsequently, HBL will start supply Pentavalent and Hepatitis B vaccines for GoI immunisation programme and will cater the requirement of other institutions as well.
EP News Bureau – Mumbai
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