Pharma PSU revamp: scientists sceptical

Even as the Union Health Minister announced on Saturday that three vaccine-manufacturing PSUs would be allowed to resume production if their restructuring was found feasible, scientists at BCG Vaccine Laboratory at Guindy, Chennai, Pasteur Institute, Coonoor, and the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, are sceptical.

The PSUs8217; licences to produce vaccines were cancelled after the WHO found them to be non-compliant with Indian Good Manufacturing Practices GMP standards. However, the WHO had offered all assistance possible to upgrade the PSUs8217; technology. Nonetheless, allege some scientists, the Health Ministry was more interested in selling the land and dismantling the companies in order to help private companies. Officials at the Ministry counter that the step had to be taken, as the WHO would have otherwise derecognised the National Regulatory Authority, which would have led to huge losses.

Calling the impending investigation by a specially appointed committee a 8220;face-saving exercise,8221; a scientist said, 8220;Why will they give a green signal now, when they have already suspended production? The investigators will be under pressure from the Ministry and we do not expect a positive response.8221; The scientists have decided to launch a mass agitation if manufacturing work is not resumed.