New Delhi : India is moving rapidly towards the Corona vaccine. However, no company has been approved to use it yet. It is reported that the Subject Expert Committee (SKSCO) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) may approve emergency use of the Oxford vaccine this week. Government sources have given this information.
Serum is manufacturing and testing the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine in India. It submitted additional data to the national drugs regulator last week.
On condition of anonymity, a government official said, “A meeting of the Subject Expert Committee is likely to be held this week. As Pfizer sought a new date to present its case on the EU application of its anti-Covid-19 vaccine, the committee is likely to give them time on the same date.”
The UK Medicine and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is also considering EUA data for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and its approval for the vaccine candidate will provide an added advantage for obtaining regulatory approval in India.
It is likely that the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine may be the first vaccine to be approved for emergency use in India.
Pfizer may be asked to conduct a small study among the Indian population to find out the effect of the vaccine candidate among the local population. The official said, “Since Pfizer has not tested in India for its vaccine candidate, the company may be asked to do so first. They may also get exemption from tests.”
