Covaxin at Rs 150 per dose 'not sustainable': Bharat Biotech

Hyderabad: The supply price of Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to the Central government at Rs 150 per dose is not sustainable in the long run, the vaccine maker said on Tuesday.

The Centre's supplying price is pushing the pricing structure for the private sector upward. "Fundamental business reasons ranging from low procurement volumes, high distribution costs and retail margins among few others contribute to higher pricing of Covaxin," Bharat Biotech said justifying the higher price when compared to other Covid-19 vaccines available for the private sector in India.

"The supply price of Covaxin to the government of India at Rs 150/dose, is a non-competitive price and clearly not sustainable in the long run. Hence a higher price in private markets is required to offset part of the costs," Bharat Biotech said in a statement.

Not sought indemnity: Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech has not sought indemnity from the Central government against its Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine-related adverse events, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

A whole virion inactivated vaccine, Covaxin is one of the two Covid-19 vaccines being used in the national Covid-19 immunisation programme in India.