Indonesian State Pharmaceutical Company to Produce Bird Flu Vaccine By 2011
Posted on: Monday, 12 May 2008, 12:00 CDT
Text of report in English by Indonesian government-owned news agency Antara website
[Unattributed Article: "Bio Farma produces birdflu vaccines in 2011"]
State pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma is set to produce bird flu (avian influenza) vaccines for humans starting in 2011 with an initial production of 20 million doses.
"In the initial stage, seasonal bird flu vaccines will be produced starting next year, and preparations will be made for bird flu vaccine production for humans in anticipation of a bird flu pandemic," Planning and Development Director of PT Bio Farma Iskandar said on the sidelines of the granting of scholarships for 176 students in Bandung on Sunday [11 May 08].
Iskandar disclosed that bird flu vaccine production for humans will need an investment of IDR 400 billion to cover the [costs of] technology, infrastructure and human resources.
"It is a big investment indeed, but it must be done," he said.
For the time being, the 20 million doses will be for domestic consumption, which [will not be sufficient for] the total population in Indonesia.
Right now PT Bio Farma is only producing H2N2 vaccines for fowls.
"If necessary, seasonal bird flu vaccines could be transformed [using the] bird flu virus found in Indonesia. These types of bird flu vaccines are meant for haj pilgrims," he said.
He said that for the time being PT Bio Farma is still importing the basic materials for the production of seasonal bird flu vaccines from Japan.
Seasonal vaccines enjoy a vast market, not only in Indonesia, but overseas as well.
PT Bio Farma is also producing meningitis vaccines for the prevention of pneumonia, he added.
Originally published by Antara news agency, Jakarta, in English, 11 May 08.
(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
Source: BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific
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