HYDERABAD: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the Indian partner of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said it has commenced Sputnik V’s India rollout with the first dose being administered in Hyderabad on Friday as part of a limited pilot.
The company also said the imported vaccine has been priced at Rs 948 per dose with an additional 5% GST to be charged on it, putting the price at around Rs 995.4, just under Rs 1000 a dose.
“As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on May 14, 2021,” the company said in a regulatory filing with the bourses.
“The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins,” it said.
The company said that the first first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine, that landed in India on May 1, 2021, received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on May 13, 2021.
According to Dr Reddy’s further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months and subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners.
“The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. Dr Reddy’s will work closely with stakeholders in the government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort,” the company said.
Dr Reddy’s co-chairman & managing director G V Prasad said: “With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe.”
