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India can lead world in H1N1 vaccine: WHO

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Toufiq RashidTags : India, H1N1, WHOPosted: Monday , Aug 03, 2009 at 0328 hrsNew Delhi:

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The work on manufacturing of vaccines for H1N1 (swine flu) has begun in India, and now the World Health Oraganisation (WHO) is looking at it for the production of vaccines for the rest of the world as well.

Speaking to The Indian Express, WHO Representative to India Dr S J Habayeb said that India, which is a major producer of quality generic drug, can take the lead in manufacturing the H1N1 vaccines for the world as well.

“I believe the Indian drug industry can be the key to fighting the disease across the world. India has the capacity to produce vaccines not only for the country but for the rest of the world as well,” said Habayab.

Habayab said the WHO is open to help any manufacturer. “We are ready to provide any help to the manufacturers but the government should also be involved. The Indian government has done exceedingly well as far as Swine flu preparedness and planning is concerned, but the drug industry should also get the encouragement to manufacture the vaccine,” he said.

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The H1N1 virus strains reached India last week and two Delhi-based drug companies have already started the process of manufacturing the vaccine. A third company is also in the line and will start the manufacturing soon. The government of India has granted licences for manufacturing the vaccine to the three companies — Serum Institute of India, Panacea Biotec and Bharat Biotech.

While Serum Institute of India, already a WHO-recognised vaccine manufacturing unit, and Panacea Biotec have got the samples of A(H1N1) virus strains from the WHO, Bharat Biotech is waiting for its strains. The firms would take about three to four months to manufacture the vaccine.

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