Private sector gets the nod to import Covid-19 vaccine

By The Nation

 

Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has allowed the private sector to import Covid-19 vaccine, Government Spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on Sunday.

 

He said private firms, however, must first register the vaccine with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by submitting documents regarding the vaccine's quality, safety and effectiveness for Thai people.

 

"The FDA would evaluate the vaccine's quality, safety and effectiveness before allowing private firms to vaccinate people," he said.

 

He added that the FDA had summoned internal and external experts to accelerate the approval of Covid-19 vaccine.

 

"However, we still cannot ease regulations regarding the procurement of vaccine because it is a product related to the life of the people," he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30401726

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2021-01-25

 

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This is good news for those who would need the vaccine to be approved travel for work and entry to other countries when the time comes and those policies are put into place. 

 

I’d trust somewhere like Bumrungrad and many other decent hospitals to handle this with the right safety measures (transport and storage).

Not sure how I feel about this. 

Mixed feelings. 

 

Is it smart letting in the private sector when there are a lack of vaccines worldwide? 

 

How much?

Stupid idea, this should be done at Government level not left to private companies

2 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Stupid idea, this should be done at Government level not left to private companies

 

Whilst I agree that vaccinations should be carried out by Government, I'm pretty sure that expats wouldn't be offerred this vaccine by the Thai Government for the forseeable future, and given that a fair number of expats are probably in the vulnerable group, I don't think that many expats will think it's such a stupid idea.

 

I suspect that the vaccines will come at a hefty price.

34 minutes ago, JoePai said:

Stupid idea, this should be done at Government level not left to private companies

Why? Do you prefer to wait indefinitely until your turn comes up? Much rather have the efficiency of the private sector and pay for it.

Thai registration shouldn't be an issue with three mRNA covid-19 vaccines approved for emergency use validation by WHO in December 2020, including Pzifer/BioNtech. Especially as Thailand Pfizer was ranked No. 1 pharma in Thailahd.

The real issue is supply as 'late-comer' nations/private institutions now begin to place their orders. 

51 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

 

Whilst I agree that vaccinations should be carried out by Government, I'm pretty sure that expats wouldn't be offerred this vaccine by the Thai Government for the forseeable future, and given that a fair number of expats are probably in the vulnerable group, I don't think that many expats will think it's such a stupid idea.

 

I suspect that the vaccines will come at a hefty price.

A markets is there because govts. fail. Look at EU. Ppl die in Austria because of slw vaccination . Plus vaccinations depend on connections not entitlement. 

3 hours ago, sprq said:

How much?

We have to understand that this will be something like a "(light?) grey market. So 3000 for the Astra Zeneca and 10000 for the Pfizer or the Moderna wouldn't surprise me at all. But I'd be just happy to cough up that amount and would even make the trip to Bangkok, if/when appointments become available.

 

 

And again the rich, famous and powerful people of Thailand will go first. Then the monks from the people's money. Then the officials from the bribes. And at the end of vacinne availability the people who make Thailand the great place to be. Hopefully for free.

2 minutes ago, Mops59 said:

And again the rich, famous and powerful people of Thailand will go first. Then the monks from the people's money. Then the officials from the bribes. And at the end of vacinne availability the people who make Thailand the great place to be. Hopefully for free.

 

Free? You'll pay around 6000 to 10,000 for a name brand vaccine at a private hospital.

 

 

4 hours ago, sprq said:

How much?

Profit Margin +++  for lek dek pharma

   - when these concoctions are provide free elsewhere in the world

1 hour ago, JoePai said:

Stupid idea, this should be done at Government level not left to private companies

Don't think the government here has done a very good job so far.  No jabs here yet, where many other countries are moving along "fairly" well.

 

They're projecting only 50% of the population will be jabbed this year.  Not a great number.

 

And as stated above, for expats, we won't be first in line to get them. 

 

India has already said they'll be selling the AZ jab.  Can't wait to get it here!  Bring it on.

Great News!

 

Especially As their seems to be issues with the rollout of the Government's vaccination program.  

This is not news at all. 
Private sector can always and at any time request Thai FDA to review and approve medicines, vaccins or anything that goes through the mouth.

 

The only newsworthy sentence is that FDA has hired some consultants to speed up its usually snail-paced processes.

1 hour ago, Raphael54 said:

This is not news at all. 
Private sector can always and at any time request Thai FDA to review and approve medicines, vaccins or anything that goes through the mouth.

 

The only newsworthy sentence is that FDA has hired some consultants to speed up its usually snail-paced processes.

Taking everything into context i.e. no tourists to Thailand , low incidence of covid , the oncoming hot weather that is not tolerated by the virus , we are not under the same danger as the majority of the western world . The AZ vaccine is produced and provided at cost so there should not be excessive charges but if there are the world is watching  and Thailand's actions will be monitored . Any smell of profiteering being made from vaccinating should be condemned and not supported but in the LOS where money is number one it will be a case of Im all right Jack .

Does anybody really believe the rich & famous everywhere haven't gotten their jabs on the QT already?!?

Currently both the Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca vaccines are facing 'production bottlenecks' and are being threatened with legal action by some European governments for them failing to meet contracted delivery dates. Wonder what happened to the missing vaccines?

 

Maybe not related, but israel has enough for their population ........ Hmmm.

Yet another great move by the Government to save money, 

Yes, good news for ex-pats to get the vaccine, 

But the Government has already admitted that it has only ordered enough vaccine to vaccinate 70% of the population ( thats if you can believe the 70% figure) 

What really worries me that the Government will announce down the line they can't get all the vaccine, and this will lead to Thai citizens borrowing money to get the vaccine to protect there families.