Dr Reddy’s announces soft launch of Sputnik; vaccine to cost ₹995.40 per shot

Dr Reddy’s labs is the licensed distributors of the vaccine in India.The first consignment carrying 150,000 doses of the vaccine landed in Hyderabad on May 1

Published on: May 14, 2021, 14:12:58 IST

By Rhythma Kaul

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Russian made Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine, Sputnik V, has been soft launched in India, with the first dose administered in Hyderabad on Friday, announced Dr Reddy’s laboratories in a statement.

Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. (File photo)

The vaccine is priced at ₹995.40 per shot in the market, with a possibility of prices coming down further once local production starts.

Dr Reddy’s labs is the licensed distributors of the vaccine in India.The first consignment carrying 150,000 doses of the vaccine landed in Hyderabad on May 1.

“...the first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that landed in India on 1st May, 2021, received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on 13th May, 2021. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on 14th May, 2021,” said Dr Reddy’s in a statement.

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Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the coming months. Production of the vaccine locally is likely to start around July.

“The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of ₹948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins. The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfil regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply,” the company statement read.

Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be given Emergency Use Authorisation in India after Oxford University -AstraZeneca developed Covishield and Bharat Biotech manufactured Covaxin.

India has also allowed citizens over the age of 18 years to receive Covid-19 vaccinations beginning May 1.

“With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe,” said GV Prasad, co-chairman and managing director, Dr Reddy’s.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhythma Kaul
Rhythma Kaul is the national health editor of the Hindustan Times. She has been reporting on public health, medicine, and medical research, with a particular focus on how government decisions and health system reforms shape people’s lives. Rhythma has over 25 years of journalistic experience. She joined Hindustan Times in 2008, and has since covered everything from pandemics and infectious diseases to cutting‑edge medical research and climate‑related health challenges. Her stories routinely track the work of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, department of pharmaceuticals, and key national health programmes, making complex medical science and policy accessible to a wide audience. One of her prominent news breaks has been the 2012 Baby Falak case: A two-year-old brutally battered baby girl was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi with severe head injuries, multiple fractures, human bite marks, and burns. The police investigation revealed this to be a case of multi-state human-trafficking racket. She was profiled by The Wall Street Journal for breaking this story. Rhythma holds a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Prior to Hindustan Times, she worked with the India Today Group. Rhythma can be contacted at rhythma.kaul@hindustantimes.com. Her X handle is @RamblingBrook.Read More

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