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Vaccine row: Report flays central drugs controller
New Delhi: The interim report submitted by the Javed Chaudhury committee, which is making an investigation into the death of many kids due to the closure of three public sector vaccine production units and paved way for many private companies to reap profits, had flayed the union health ministry and central drugs control general. The vaccine units , BCG Vaccine Laboratory (Chennai), Pasteur Institute of India (Coonoor) and the Central Research Institute (Kasauli) were closed down. The shortage of vaccines in 2008-09 caused the death of kids. The government disclosed that there was hike in the death cases due to Diphtheria and Tetanus . The committee headed by Javed Chaudahry was appointed bythe central governmen to probe the issue which triggered a controversy.
The heath ministry closed the three units on the ground that they did not comply with WHO's good manufacturing practices (GMP) norms.The decision for the same was taken by the drugs controller and he had talks with health ministry regarding this. Committee pointed out that though the show - cause notices to the units were sent with the knowledge of Union health minister Anpumani Ramadoss, there is no evidence which proves the hand of heath ministry behind the closure of the units.
The report pointed out that the regulatory bodies of health ministry while showing a liberal attitude to private units, are making public sector units to undergo strict examinations. The shortage of vaccines had also affected the implementation of the central project called Universal Immunization Programmes, particularly in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala.
Even if there were weaknesses in the production of vaccines, the ultimate solution was not the closing down of units, report observes. The performance of the publics sector units were satisfactory. WHO also never expressed any displeasure. Report also pointed out that the units which are giving great contribution to the health sector, were deprived of adequate assistance from the part of the governments.
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New Delhi: The interim report submitted by the Javed Chaudhury committee, which is making an investigation into the death of many kids due to the closure of three public sector vaccine production units and paved way for many private companies to reap profits, had flayed the union health ministry and central drugs control general. The vaccine units , BCG Vaccine Laboratory (Chennai), Pasteur Institute of India (Coonoor) and the Central Research Institute (Kasauli) were closed down. The shortage of vaccines in 2008-09 caused the death of kids. The government disclosed that there was hike in the death cases due to Diphtheria and Tetanus . The committee headed by Javed Chaudahry was appointed bythe central governmen to probe the issue which triggered a controversy.
The heath ministry closed the three units on the ground that they did not comply with WHO's good manufacturing practices (GMP) norms.The decision for the same was taken by the drugs controller and he had talks with health ministry regarding this. Committee pointed out that though the show - cause notices to the units were sent with the knowledge of Union health minister Anpumani Ramadoss, there is no evidence which proves the hand of heath ministry behind the closure of the units.
The report pointed out that the regulatory bodies of health ministry while showing a liberal attitude to private units, are making public sector units to undergo strict examinations. The shortage of vaccines had also affected the implementation of the central project called Universal Immunization Programmes, particularly in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal and Kerala.
Even if there were weaknesses in the production of vaccines, the ultimate solution was not the closing down of units, report observes. The performance of the publics sector units were satisfactory. WHO also never expressed any displeasure. Report also pointed out that the units which are giving great contribution to the health sector, were deprived of adequate assistance from the part of the governments.
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