It will elevate the country to become a hub for vaccine production and increase confidence in the use of vaccines, says PM
by S BIRRUNTHA / pic by BERNAMA
MALAYSIA is able to pave the way for the production of its own quality, effective and safe vaccine products in accordance with the conditions set by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency, said Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (picture).
Ismail Sabri said that it is through the implementation of the National Vaccine Development Roadmap (PPVN) and the establishment of the Malaysian Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) which is a government initiative to strengthen the country’s vaccine development ecosystem.
The PM added this will elevate the country to become a hub for vaccine production and increase confidence in the use of vaccines.
“Through the implementation of PPVN and the establishment of MGVI, highly skilled human capital in various fields of research, especially those related to health and vaccines will be born.
“More job opportunities will also be created for Malaysian families who can improve the living standards and the health of the people,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Ismail Sabri noted that the local vaccine development is not just limited to just Covid-19 vaccine production but will also focus on the development of cholera, as well as head and neck cancer vaccine.
As a vaccine-producing country, he said Malaysia will have autonomy over the procurement of materials and methods of vaccine production.
Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba said PPVN sets the production of vaccines in two phases, namely in short term (one to five years) and long term (five to 10 years).
He added that the development of this vaccine aims to produce human vaccines for domestic use especially in the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme to ensure the country is ready to face any pandemic threat in the future.
According to Dr Adham, the PPVN framework is divided into six priority areas, namely governance, vaccine manufacturing infrastructure, clinical studies, human capital development, vaccine technology and development procurement, and vaccine communication.
He said PPVN emphasises collaboration between government, scientists, medical practitioners and industry players through ecosystems, governance and strategic approaches to provide an ecosystem of collaboration between the various parties involved from among ministries, agencies and manufacturing companies at the national level, regional and international.
“The governance of MGVI will be led and centralised under the Institute of Biotechnology National, an agency under the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.
“Meanwhile, research activities will be implemented in decentralised facilities together with four centres of excellence, namely Vaccine Discovery Centre of Excellence, Pre-clinical Research Centre of Excellence, Clinical Research Centre of Excellence and Process Development Centre of Excellence to leverage capabilities, expertise and existing facilities,” he noted.
Dr Adham said MGVI is believed to be able to increase collaboration and provide access to research facilities to meet the needs of vaccine development, in line with the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021-2030.
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