| |JANUARY 20249INDIAN IMMUNOLOGICALS UNVEILS INDIA'S FIRST DEVELOPED HEPATITIS A VACCINEDEPT OF PHARMA TO ASSIT MSMES TO ENSURE HIGH QUALITY OF MEDICINESThe Department of Pharmaceuticals has proposed to provide financial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to help them upgrade their equipment to ensure better quality of medicines."Under a central scheme, which is called Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme, MSMEs can seek financial assistance from the government," said Arunish Chawla, secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals. "This will open a new window for MSMEs who have an opportunity to get some assistance and be able to get the quality certifications that are now mandatory."The health and family welfare ministry has made good manufacturing practices mandatory for pharma companies. A recent notification by the ministry covered the revised Schedule M rules for good manufacturing practices and requirements of premises, plant and equipment for pharmaceutical products, with provisions for an annual product quality review, risk management and a quality system, as per economic times.Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had said in July last year that List M should be made mandatory for pharmaceutical SMEs in a phased manner. The Health Ministry said drugmakers with an annual turnover of more than 250 billion will have to comply with the norms within six months from August 1, 2023. Smaller companies will get one year, it said. POIndian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and a biopharmaceutical company, has launched India's first hepatitis A vaccine 'Havisure'. This vaccine is a major step forward in the fight against hepatitis A in India and is poised to make a significant contribution to public health.The new vaccine, Havisure is the result of extensive research and development efforts by IIL's dedicated team of scientists and researchers. This indigenously developed vaccine is poised to play a crucial role in preventing Hepatitis A, a highly contagious liver infection that poses a significant public health challenge. Hepatitis A is a viral infection primarily spread through the fecal-oral route, meaning that it is transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated food or water, as per pharmabiz.The launch event of this new vaccine was held today at Hyatt Place, Hyderabad. Chief guests were MLA Nagaraj Karpan and Telangana Indian Redcross Society IAS President Ajay Mishra..Speaking on the occasion, Dr K Anand Kumar, managing director, Indian Immunologicals Ltd shared "The launch of Havisure is a testament to our commitment to advancing healthcare solutions for the nation. Currently Hepatitis A vaccines are imported into our country and as a true meaning of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, IIL has tirelessly put in efforts and developed India's 1st vaccine for hepatitis A. The vaccine Havisure has undergone extensive clinical trials in 8 centers and has proven to be safe and efficacious. The vaccine is comparable to the world's leading vaccine sold by a multinational. With Havisure, we aim to contribute significantly to the prevention of this infectious disease. IIL launching three vaccines in a single year is itself a big achievement and full credit to my team." PO
< Page 8 | Page 10 >