MUMBAI: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Friday urged the US government to lift curbs on shipment of several key inputs being used by the pharma industry to produce Covid-19 vaccines.
“Respected @POTUS (US President), if we are to truly unite in beating this virus, on behalf of the vaccine industry outside the US, I humbly request you to lift the embargo of raw material exports out of the US so that vaccine production can ramp up. Your administration has the details,” Poonawalla tweeted on Friday. From key chemicals to filters and bags, the US and the EU are seen to be holding back supplies for drug companies outside their territory to ensure that their citizens have sufficient access to drugs and vaccines.
“The US has invoked the Defence Act and banned export of raw materials. This is as good as banning vaccines. All firms are facing difficulties because of this,” Poonawalla had said recently.