Sri Lanka in talks with Pfizer

29 December 2020 03:32 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka is in talks with Pfizer and Astrazeneca to obtain the coronavirus vaccine after a private company facilitated the talks and offered to handle the logistical arrangements.

Hemas Pharmaceuticals, the agent for Pfizer and Astrazeneca in Sri Lanka, said that it has established contacts between Pfizer and the Ministry of Health to secure the vaccine for Sri Lanka.

Managing Director of Hemas Pharmaceuticals Jude Fernando told the Daily Mirror that his company has facilitated talks between Pfizer and Astrazeneca and the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka.

Fernando said that a proposal has also been submitted to the government on the best possible way to arrange the supply the vaccine. “Pfizer is the frontrunner so we gave a proposal to the government to consider getting the vaccine. On our side we are ready to manage the logistics,” he said.

Fernando said that the Government will now decide which company it wants to further negotiate with, be it Pfizer, astrazeneca or any other company.

“There is a procedure to follow. An agreement will need to be signed and once that is signed the rest of the information will be shared between both parties and other factors will then be looked into,” he said.

Among the matters both sides will need to discuss and reach an agreement on is the price for the vaccine, quantity required and date for supply.

As the private sector has not been authorized to import the vaccine to Sri Lanka Hemas says it cannot import the vaccine on its own.

If all goes well Hemas is confident it will be able to supply the vaccine to Sri Lanka during the second or third quarter of next year.

In addition, Sri Lanka has had talks with Russia and China and the World Health Organization to obtain a vaccine for the coronavirus. (EASWARAN RUTNAM)

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Comments - 11

Selvakumar Tuesday, 29 December 2020 07:09 AM

In sri Lanka have to go with WHO ( world health oriznation), for the coronavaccines because sri Lanka economically can't be managed the corona vaccines !!!

BigEars Tuesday, 29 December 2020 08:16 AM

The WHO too has no funds and is appealing to rich countries to share the vaccine withe poor beggars.

Selfie Tuesday, 29 December 2020 08:50 AM

You do not appear to know what SL is capable of!!

Premalal Perera Tuesday, 29 December 2020 07:47 AM

Going with WHO is most dangerous as they have to take responsibility for deliberately covering up for the Chinese. As a consequence the unsuspecting world has been put through agony.

Siribiris Tuesday, 29 December 2020 07:58 AM

First you must decide the commission you pay to the big boss/bosses. Then only it will materialize. Best person to talk is Mr. 10% .

Sam Tuesday, 29 December 2020 08:07 AM

Allow private companies to bring in the vaccine and regulate it. The government and country will benefit ultimately. I will gladly pay for my family and employees to have the vaccine. It will also allow those of us who travel to bring business to Sri Lanka to get back out there.

BigEars Tuesday, 29 December 2020 08:20 AM

Yes, this is the only way. There will be no free lunch as expected by the Sri Lanka government. This government is totally ill prepared and inefficient as no funds was allocated in the 2021 budget. Now face the music.

Tissa De Silva Tuesday, 29 December 2020 08:30 AM

How much commission's will be paid.to agent and others. This should be a.complete transparent deal. Transperancy International and Flight to information act should be applied.

Ranaweera Tuesday, 29 December 2020 09:39 AM

Take Moderna which is more suitable for Lankan. Pfizer is more expensive and offer good commission to the importers.so naturally Our guys will side with Pfizer.

FF Tuesday, 29 December 2020 09:41 AM

AT LAST THE TRUTH IS OUT. PRIVATE COMPANY INVOLVED (MAY BE A FRIEND OF ONE OF THE RAJAPAKSA BROS) SO THAT THEY CAN HAVE A SHARE OF PROFITS. SADLY, THIS IS THE GROUND SITUATION IN SRI LANKA TODAY.

Stingray Wednesday, 30 December 2020 06:54 AM

Is this company run by Govt. cronies?

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Sri Lanka in talks with Pfizer

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