Access to foreign Covid-19 vaccine a long haul, say Indian companies

US pharmaceutical associations feel that the decision to support the patent waiver would weaken already-strained supply chains

Indian vaccine makers feel that the decision of the US administration to support a patent waiver for Covid-19 vaccines is a welcome step, but it may mean very little in terms of giving immediate access unless innovator companies come forward to partner. Even if technology is made available immediately, it would take nine months to a year to develop the processes and commercialise the same, they say.

Vaccines are biological products using viruses, and manufacturing them involves an extremely complex process. Any change in that process can result in failure to get the right vaccine candidate, warns the Indian industry. US