Covishield, Covaxin costs ₹ 275 per dose after regular market value

Covishield, Covaxin costs ₹ 275 per dose after regular market value.

The Center plans to fix the price of Covishield and Covaxin at ₹ 275 per dose, after obtaining regular market approval from the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for two Covid-19 vaccines. Despite the emphasis on having reasonable prices, the government may allow a service charge of ₹ 150.

According to sources in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the pricing of the two vaccines was discussed at a recent meeting. An official at the meeting, who did not want to be identified, told ET, "The government buys vaccines in bulk for ₹ 205. So we thought a 33% profit above ₹ 205 would be reasonably priced. Manufacturers. That's why we plan to limit it to ₹ 275 per dose."

Bharat Biotech Covaxin has been priced at ₹ 1,200 per dose and the Serum Institute of India Covshield at ₹ 780 per private hospital. Prices include a service charge of ₹ 150.

The government is now resolving the issue of pricing two vaccines, with regular market approvals expected within the next month.

The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has been advised to begin the process of setting the price for providing vaccines at affordable prices. According to sources, the Ministry of Health has asked both companies to create reasonable prices for themselves. "If both companies voluntarily offer a reasonable price below 300 per dose, the government will not get into this (pricing). The NPPA has been asked to do spadework while both companies are doing their job."

On January 19, the material expert panel of the Federal Drug Quality Control Organization recommended that the routine market approval for both vaccines be given as a matter of urgency. The Indian Serum Institute of India submitted its application to the Controller General of Drugs (DCGI) on October 25. Seeks regular market clearance for its Covshield. When requesting regular market recognition for covaxin, Bharat Biotech has submitted complete information on chemistry, production and controls along with pre-clinical and clinical data.