Light at the end of the multi-decadal vaccine tunnel

The race for a rotavirus vaccine has forced the government to change the rules of the game in a booming vaccine market. Bharat Biotech has the first-mover advantage but Serum Institute could have the last laugh

The lowest bidder will supply 60% of the vaccines, while the second lowest will meet the remaining government demand

On 28 March, the ministry of health closed its first bid to buy 14.5 million doses of rotavirus vaccine for Rs 104.13 crore

Bharat Biotech will supply Rotavac in 10-dose vials, which results in 35-40% wastage, while the Serum Institute intends supplying the vaccine in 2-dose vials

Both Bharat Biotech and the Serum Institute are trying to get pre-qualified with the WHO to enter the global supply chain

The negotiation was a simple one. Vaccine makers needed an assured market, and the government, assured supply. Until recently, the lowest bidder for a government tender took it all. Not anymore. The supplier who scores the second place also has value. After a year of dialogue in 2016, there’s finally a consensus. The lowest bidder will supply 60% of the products, while the second lowest will meet the remaining need. Provided, the latter matches the lowest price.

Under the revised rules, on 28 March, the ministry of health closed its first bid to buy 14.5 million doses of rotavirus vaccine for Rs 104.13 crore.

AUTHOR

Ruhi Kandhari

Ruhi writes on the impact of healthcare policies, trends in the healthcare sector and developments on the implementation of Electronic Health Records in India. She has an M. Sc. in Development Studies from the London School of Economics.

View Full Profile

Others tell you what. We tell you the ‘So What?’

Read articles that decode the most significant shifts happening around business, technology, startups and healthcare. 1000+ articles for subscribers of the India edition. 150+ articles for subscribers of the Southeast Asia edition. Plus premium newsletters that help you make sense of the world around you.

So much journalism in India is superficial.

Articles are generic, almost cookie-cutter in their approach. And they don’t provide enough context on the issues they cover. The Ken is different. I don’t always agree with everything they say but I appreciate their commitment to publishing deeply reported narratives and investigations. Their reporters find new ways to analyze tech among other industries. And that’s always worth a read.

Sid Talwar / Co-Founder and Partner / Lightbox Venture Capital

As entrepreneurs, we thrive on being in the know at all times.

A personal subscription to The Ken was a no brainer. But as startup founders, this isn't enough. Team members also need to be in the know, for everyone handles customer-facing responsibilities and an ecosystem change that impacts customers also impacts us

Kiran Jonnalagadda / Co-founder / HasGeek and Internet Freedom Foundation