Days after it was approved in India, the first dose of Sputnik V vaccine was administered in Hyderabad Friday afternoon. After Serum India Institute’s Covaxin and Bharat Biotech’s Covishield, Sputnik V is the third covid 19 vaccine to get emergency use approval in India.
Deepak Sapra, Global Head of Custom Pharma Services at Dr Reddy’s Laboratories was administered the covid 19 vaccine. The pharma company is the Indian partner of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). RDIF had partnered with Dr Reddy’s in September 2020 to conduct clinical trials in India. In a statement, Dr Reddy’s said Friday that the vaccine has been priced at Rs 995 per dose.
“As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on May 14, 2021. The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins,” the statement said.
The manufacture of the vaccine will soon begin in India and the Indian-made vaccine will likely be priced at a lower rate. “The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. Dr Reddy’s will work closely with stakeholders in the government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort,” the company added.
Developers of Sputnik V have also prepared a single shot covid 19 vaccine, Sputnik Light and it will also be manufactured in India. However, there is no official word on its possible rollout in India.