National chemist association writes to PM Modi; offers to help with Covid-19 vaccine delivery

The government is currently making logistical arrangements for the procurement, storage and delivery of the vaccine against Covid-19, whenever it is available for use

Published on: Oct 22, 2020, 09:37:56 IST

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By Rhythma Kaul

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After private hospitals, the All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD) has come forward to offer help to the Indian government with the delivery of vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

Over a 100 vaccine candidates are currently under various stages of trial across the globe. In India, at least three vaccine candidates, including two indigenously developed ones, are in the advanced stages of clinical trials. (REUTERS File)

The government is currently making logistical arrangements for the procurement, storage and delivery of the vaccine against Covid-19, whenever it is available for use.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the president of the association JS Shinde, and honorary general secretary, Rajiv Singhal, have urged him to utilise the established supply chain for vaccine distribution.

According to estimates, there are about 8.5 lakh brick and mortar chemist and druggist stores currently operating in the country.

“Our country is passing through challenging situations of COVID-19 Pandemic… We 8.50 lakh members of AIOCD assure you that our members will actively support by making medicines available without any interruption. Also, vaccines require an unpoured line of cold chain, right from production point to delivery and administration of dose to a person. Here to before all kinds of vaccines have been successfully distributed by our members’ year on year. All required infrastructure is available with those of our trade members to manage intact cold chain with experience,” the letter read.

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The members recently had an online meeting with the president of the organisation, wherein they gave their consent to help with the delivery of the Covid-19 vaccine.

“We request you to advise concerned ministries and departments to issue guidelines for use of our channel members for distribution of COVID-19 vaccines,” the letter further read.

Over a 100 vaccine candidates are currently under various stages of trial across the globe. In India, at least three vaccine candidates, including two indigenously developed ones, are in the advanced stages of clinical trials.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, World Health Organization chief scientist, on Wednesday said that at least a couple of vaccines could be available for use against Covid-19 by early 2021.

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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