'No Definitive Pact' On Commercial Supply Of Moderna Jabs To India, Says Cipla After DCGI Nod

Moderna's vaccine will be the fourth COVID-19 jab to be available in India after Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V.

(File Photo/ AFP)

New Delhi: Hours after reports of India's drug regulator DCGI has granted permission to Mumbai-based Cipla to import Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine for restricted emergency use in the country, the pharma giant said that there is no definitive agreement yet between Cipla and Moderna on commercial supplies of Coronavirus jabs.

While clarifying the details, Cipla said that it is supporting Moderna with the regulatory approval and import of COVID-19 vaccines to be donated to India and there is no agreement on commercial supplies at this stage.

After DCGI's approval, Moderna's vaccine will be the fourth COVID-19 jab to be available in India after Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V.

"Cipla Limited is supporting Moderna, Inc. with the regulatory approval and importation of vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies", Cipla said in a statement told news agency IANS.

The statement by Cipla came after Moderna, earlier in the day, announced that the government of India has issued a registration certificate and a permission to import covid jabs. 

"I want to thank the government of India for this authorization, which marks an important step forward in the global fight against the pandemic," said Stephane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.

Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine is authorised pursuant to a Registration Certificate and a Permission to import the Covid jab for restricted use in an emergency situation in India, in adults aged 18 years and older.

Moderna has also received emergency use authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine from health agencies in more than 50 countries and an Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meanwhile, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr V K Paul said that the new permission for restricted emergency use potentially opens up a clear possibility of this vaccine being imported to India in the near future.

(With inputs from agencies)