AstraZeneca warns SL not to purchase from private buyers

Says offers by private companies is likely counterfeit and should be refused and reported

27 May 2021 02:25 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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AstraZeneca has informed Sri Lanka's State Pharmaceutical Corporation not to purchase the AstraZeneca vaccines from any private trader or company as these vaccines are likely to be counterfeit and should be refused and reported to the relevant authorities.

The Daily Mirror learns that in a desperate bid to secure 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines to roll out the second jabs as time runs out, Sri Lankan authorities had made inquiries from several private companies who claim they have stocks of the AstraZeneca and are willing to sell it to Sri Lanka at a higher rate.

A senior minister told Daily Mirror earlier this week that an inquiry had also been made in the black market as the government wanted to fulfill its responsibility of administering the second doses to all those who had received the first jabs.

The government has expressed its willingness to purchase the 600,000 injections at any price.

The Daily Mirror learns that authorities were in discussions with over 15 private global companies who said they had stocks and were willing to part with 600,000 doses for a higher price. However the government had reached out to the AstraZeneca parent company seeking validation over the authenticity of these doses, and said they would purchase it only if confirmed by the manufacturers and parent company.

In response to this query by the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, AstraZeneca Singapore (Pvt) Ltd., in a letter sent to SPC Chairman Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said that AstraZeneca had learnt that numerous private traders and companies had been approaching the government in Sri Lanka to sell the COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca.

The Associate Director, Government Affairs, Asia Area of AstraZeneca, Jasper Meyns said that AstraZeneca's current focus was delivering on its substantial global commitments to governments and international health organizations as quickly as possible to help end the pandemic.

"As such, there is currently no private sector supply, sale or distribution of the vaccine. If a trader, or company other than AstraZeneca offers private vaccines, it is likely counterfeit, so should be refused and reported to the relevant authorities," the letter said.

"AstraZeneca would like to clarify that currently only COVAX, UNICEF and Serum Institute of India are our designated partners to make the vaccine available in Sri Lanka," the letter added.

Presently the Sri Lankan government has received no confirmation as to when or from whom they can purchase the remaining stocks of vaccines. An official from SPC told Daily Mirror that to date, there was no confirmation on the AstraZeneca supply but reiterated that they were trying hard to secure the doses.

The current program which is underway to roll out the second jabs has come under severe criticism with those with connections and money having received the doses behind closed doors. The Health Ministry has clearly ignored the protocol of administering the doses according to the dates of the first jabs, resulting in the entire system going adhoc and desperate citizens lining up outside hospitals everyday seeking their second doses. (JAMILA HUSAIN)

Comments - 19

Siribiris Thursday, 27 May 2021 03:12 PM

Sad plight . How can we guarantee whether next astra zeneca vaccines (if we get) are genuine or not .

Dee Thursday, 27 May 2021 04:21 PM

Like how the RAT's were brought in without approval, this will also come. No action can be taken! Let us all Pray!

Lion Thursday, 27 May 2021 04:23 PM

If the deal is good why not.

We consume poison every day Thursday, 27 May 2021 04:23 PM

Even if we buy condiments from supermarkets, they are often bad quality. I would rather say D grade supplies from neighbouring countries. Is there any point talking about vaccine? If Ministers get involved in this process, it would definitely be another disaster.

Seb Thursday, 27 May 2021 04:23 PM

I'm not even taking the AZ. I'll wait for Sputnik or Sinovac

Charm Thursday, 27 May 2021 05:41 PM

Does that mean Sri Lanka is not going to get enough AZ stocks for those misses second doses any sooner? There are 600,000 less the so called ‘entitled’ Doctor families desperately waiting for their second dose. For So many of them the second dose date has passed. I plead the government to offer the second dose as soon as possible. I hope AstraZeneca will help Sri Lankan government get the stocks.

IGNATIUS RASIAH Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:12 PM

Don't worry. With all the warnings our Sri Lankan 's will import from somewhere to make money.

Gihan Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:30 PM

Please tell us when we will get the AZ second dose? 600,000 demand answers.

Sri Lankan Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:33 PM

How can these companies or traders selling counterfeit AstraZeneca vaccine get registered in Singapore ? Is it possible there !

Sri Lankan Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:33 PM

How can these companies or traders selling counterfeit AstraZeneca vaccine get registered in Singapore ? Is it possible there !

Appi Thursday, 27 May 2021 06:38 PM

What in the world is wrong with this world? Everywhere we look it's fraud, cheat and dishonesty!

Silva Thursday, 27 May 2021 07:19 PM

ask the Health Minister Pavithra's husband. He has stock and selling

Kingsley Wijesinhe Thursday, 27 May 2021 07:20 PM

Oh, dear! No chance of getting all those lovely commissions from private suppliers. The government must be very upset.

Chris Thursday, 27 May 2021 07:41 PM

Why can't the government sue Astra Zeneca?

Dee Thursday, 27 May 2021 09:19 PM

Why can't we get anything else other than sino Pharm/Vac? Phizer, Moderns. Why do we have to remain a third world?

Gihan Thursday, 27 May 2021 09:49 PM

Sri Lanka government, Please tell us when we will get AstraZeneca second dose?

Man Friday, 28 May 2021 07:20 AM

Notify that Associate Director, Mr. Jasper Meyns, to provide a reliable source to get, so that there can't be any issue, without delay, as he got a duty to arrange so as he notified the threat.

SPC Agent Friday, 28 May 2021 12:47 PM

Commission is good. So we are buying it.

CITIZEN Friday, 28 May 2021 06:14 PM

SPC had been trying to buy from private traders when SPC could buy direct without involving commissions. That may be why SPC got this letter.

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AstraZeneca warns SL not to purchase from private buyers

Says offers by private companies is likely counterfeit and should be refused and reported

Comments - 19

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