brand logo

600k Sinopharm doses reaching SL today

30 Mar 2021

By Hiranyada Dewasiri and Mihi Perera   A consignment of 600,000 doses of the Chinese anti-Covid-19 vaccine “Sinopharm”, donated by the Chinese Government, is to arrive in Sri Lanka today (31). The SriLankan Airlines Cargo flight UL 0869 carrying the vaccines from Beijing is to arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 10.45 a.m. today, The Morning learnt from the State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals. Addressing the media at the weekly cabinet media briefing, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday (30) that priority in the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccination drive will be given to Chinese residents in Sri Lanka. He stated that the distribution of Sinopharm for Sri Lankans may take place a few days later, subject to the necessary approvals, but that the Chinese residents will receive the vaccine after the first consignment is brought today. A special request was made by the Chinese Government to prioritise Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka when administering the Sinopharm vaccine. With regard to administering the vaccine to locals, the Minister stated the approval of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is anticipated. “The phase four trial translations in English are still not available. Once they are available and the WHO and the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) give their approval to the vaccine, it will be administered to locals,” Dr. Pathirana said. State Minister of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle said last week that if Sinopharm receives NMRA’s approval with regard to being administered to locals, it would be utilised to vaccinate those outside of Colombo and Gampaha, as the latter areas are locales where citizens are being vaccinated at present. The Morning learnt from NMRA Acting Chairman Prof. Sisira Siribaddana that the NMRA Board has granted clearance for the Sinopharm vaccine under Section 109 of the NMRA Act. “The Board has granted approval for Sinopharm under Section 109 of the NMRA Act to be brought to the country,” he said. Section 109 of the NMRA Act reads that the NMRA may grant permission in special circumstances such as to save a life, to control an outbreak of an infection or an epidemic, or any other national emergency or for national security to import and supply a particular medicine, medical device, or borderline product in specified quantities. However, The Morning learnt from Ministry of Health sources that the approval of the Expert Committee of the NMRA has not been granted for Sinopharm as of yet and that it is still in the process of being reviewed. Yet, it was also learnt that members of the Expert Committee were present in the NMRA Board when the decision was made to issue approval under Section 109. A meeting was held by Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday with the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health and other health authority personnel to discuss the administration of the Sinopharm vaccine on locals, along with the nature of the vaccination drive. However, attempts to learn more about the outcomes of the meeting proved futile.

Kapruka

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!

Discover Kapruka, the leading online shopping platform in Sri Lanka, where you can conveniently send Gifts and Flowers to your loved ones for any event. Explore a wide range of popular Shopping Categories on Kapruka, including Toys, Groceries, Electronics, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Automobile, Mother and Baby Products, Clothing, and Fashion. Additionally, Kapruka offers unique online services like Money Remittance, Astrology, Medicine Delivery, and access to over 700 Top Brands. Also If you’re interested in selling with Kapruka, Partner Central by Kapruka is the best solution to start with. Moreover, through Kapruka Global Shop, you can also enjoy the convenience of purchasing products from renowned platforms like Amazon and eBay and have them delivered to Sri Lanka.Send love straight to their heart this Valentine's with our thoughtful gifts!


More News..