A Dose of Protest from Doctors

It has been more than four months after central government cancelled the licenses of three government units producing vaccines. It has been creating its effect and the prices of vaccines are expected to be hiked. Now, an organisation from Pune has decided to oppose the decision and approach public representatives to raise their voices.

Union government cancelled the production of three units producing vaccines in BCG Vaccine Laboratory at Guindy, Chennai; the Pasteur Institute, Coonoor and the Central Research Institute, Kasauli on account of bad manufacturing practises. These units were producing vaccines for BCG, TT and DPT. They will be produced henceforth from Vaccines and Science Park, which is being erected at Chennai. It is expected to come up upto 2011 and will cost about Rs. 300 crores.

The plan has come under the fire as allegations have been labeled regarding a close nexus between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and a private vaccine manufacturing company. The ministry has not only stopped the production from existing units, it has also ordered to pull out the existing stock from the market. It has not even assigned any reasons thereof.

Interestingly, government has iniated Expanded Program for Immunization on account of which demand-supply gap has increased. In view of this, the prices of vaccines are expected to increase. Dr. Abhijeet Vaidya, Arogy Sena, said, "While the government produces DTP (triple dose) cost Rs. 2.25, it cost Rs. 3 now. In cases of vaccines like Hepatitis, which government does not make, the prices are as high as Rs. 32 to 180 for children and Rs. 52 to Rs. 323 for adults. Therefore it seems a ploy by government to create shortage and benefit private companies."

The organisation however is not sitting idle and aims to approach member of Parliaments, political leaders and organisations so that they can create pressure to revoke the decision by union government.
The increase in the price was confirmed by Dr. Avinash Bhondave, president of Indian Medical Association and who is actively involved in vaccination drive. "The prices of vaccines have been increased by 20 percent over the years. Supply of DPT vaccines does not fall short, but supply of vaccines for measles and rabies is not sufficient."

(Published in Pune Mirror on 9 june 2008)