`Sputnik V': Russian vaccine launched in India, first beneficiary from Hyderabad; priced at Rs 995
The price of the imported doses will include a five percent GST per dose.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 14 May 2021 7:56 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The first dose of Russian Covid vaccine `Sputnik V' was administered to a beneficiary in Hyderabad on Friday.
Dr. Reddy's Lab on Friday announced that `Sputnik V' will cost Rs 995.40 in India.
"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 14th May 2021," the company said in a statement.
G V Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director of DRL, said: "With the rising cases in India, vaccination is the most effective tool in our battle against COVID-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe."
Sputnik V, which has an efficiency of 91.6 percent, is the third vaccine to be approved for use in India.
The price of the imported doses will include a five percent GST per dose. Doses of Sputnik V which are made in India, however, are likely to be cheaper. Pharma giant Dr. Reddy's Laboratories is the Indian manufacturer of the Russia-developed coronavirus vaccine.
The vaccine is likely to be available in the market from next week, the Centre had said on Thursday as the vaccine shortage in various states deepened and restrictions were brought in for vaccination.
At 91.6 percent, Sputnik V has a higher efficacy as compared Oxford-AstraZeneca's `Covishield', manufactured by Serum Institute of India, and Bharat Biotech's `Covaxin'.
The city-based Bharat Biotech had announced that its `Covaxin' will be sold at Rs 600 to states and Rs 1200 to private hospitals. The pharma company stated that Covaxin will also be exported and the price would be between $15-20 (Rs 1,123 to RS 1,498 approximately).
Serum Institute of India announced that its Covishield will be sold at Rs 400 a shot to states and Rs 600 to private hospitals. The pharma company will continue to sell vaccine doses to centers for Rs 150 each.
Sputnik V is one of only three vaccines in the world with such a high efficacy rate after Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The Sputnik vaccine is available in both liquid and powder form. The liquid form needs to be stored at minus 18 degrees. For the powder form - which can be kept in between 2 and 8 degrees, stability tests are on.
In September last year, Dr. Reddy's partnered with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of Sputnik V and for its distribution rights in India.
