Last year, Chinese manufacturers profiteered from selling faulty testing kits to India. Now, as India struggles with the new surge in Covid pandemic, Chinese have jacked up the prices of essential medical supplies and the Chinese state sees no problem with this.

Prices of everything from raw materials for drugs to oxygen concentrators have gone up. In some instances, the prices have gone up by as much as 300 per cent. Oxygen concentrators that usually list online for 1,000 yuan - roughly 11,000 rupees, marking a massive premium.

Going by one estimate, their prices now are four to five times higher. Prices for essential ingredients have gone up by 30 to 40 per cent including raw materials for paracetamol which is used for fever and azithromycin, an antibiotic.

Ingredients to make ivermectin have shot up by as much as 300 per cent in one instance. Now, various studies claim that this drug shows no benefit when it comes to the COVID-19 infection but the demand for ivermectin is high. So, Chinese suppliers are selling the raw materials for this drug at a premium.

Last week, an Indian diplomat shared her concerns with the press. The consul general to Hong Kong said soaring prices and cargo flight disruptions are slowing the arrival of medical goods in India. India's message to Beijing was clear - that even at a time when the demand was high, there needs to be some predictability and that prices just can't increase randomly.

The Chinese foreign ministry said the market is free to decide the prices and since Indian buyers are reaching out for supplies through several channels, the multiple requests are causing the prices to rise.

“Taking oxygen generators as an example, the rising demand affects the global supply chain. And there are some raw materials, such as those that need to be imported from Europe, and the lack of those supply has brought impact to production capacity. In addition, Indian buyers usually expressed their demand through a variety of channels, sometimes procurement through different channels may also over-amplify the demand to a certain extent, and thus affects the order of the market and push up the price”, Hua Chunying, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, said.

What Beijing is actually trying to say here is this - Had New Delhi reached out directly for help to Beijing, maybe the price wouldn't fluctuate this much.

In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered to help. India has made no request to China. But medical supplies brought privately are allowed. So, Chinese suppliers are profiting off India's crisis. And Beijing is simply looking away from this blatant extortion.

This is not just a problem for India. The second wave is now hitting not just South Asia but Southeast Asia too. The shortages of medical suppliers are everywhere and China has positioned itself as the sole supplier of medical goods to the region - a monopoly of sorts.

This pandemic has created more such monopolies. The western countries are sitting on the largest stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines while the rest of the world is running out of shots. India is struggling to ramp up inoculations despite placing strict restrictions on vaccine exports.

Now, COVAX is reporting a severe shortage. COVAX is the international alliance for equitable vaccination access. 92 low and middle income countries depend on it for a COVID-19 vaccine but it is running out of shots. UNICEF is distributing the vaccines given to COVAX. It now says that by end of May, COVAX could have a shortage of 140 million doses. By June, this could go up to 190 million doses.

This will only exacerbate vaccine inequality. Some countries are still waiting for their first vaccine while rich countries like Canada and US are now gearing up to vaccinate children.

The World Health Organization is now asking these rich countries to halt inoculation for kids. Instead, the world health body wants rich countries to share their vaccines. Rich countries have locked up 53 per cent of the vaccines supplies in the near term. Nearly 1.4 billion shots have been given in 210 countries. 44 per cent of these have been given in high income countries. They account for just 16 per cent of the global population.

How many vaccines has the developed world got? Just 0.3 per cent. Less than 1 per cent of the vaccines have gone to 29 lowest income countries in the world. UNICEF has now asked the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US) to donate the excess.

If they were to part with just 20 per cent of their supplies, the developing world would get 153 million doses. Monopolies are slowing down the global vaccination drive. Right now, around 23 million doses are administered every day on average globally. At this rate, the developing world may not even get vaccinated until 2023.

So, the pandemic could get extended by two years. The quickest way to ramp up vaccinations now is for the developed world to share its doses. India's surge has proved to the world that until this virus is defeated everywhere, all countries are at risk.

Last year, Chinese manufacturers profiteered from selling faulty testing kits to India. Now, as India struggles with the new surge in Covid pandemic, Chinese have jacked up the prices of essential medical supplies and the Chinese state sees no problem with this.

Last year, Chinese manufacturers profiteered from selling faulty testing kits to India. Now, as India struggles with the new surge in Covid pandemic, Chinese have jacked up the prices of essential medical supplies and the Chinese state sees no problem with this. Prices of everything from raw materials for drugs to oxygen concentrators have gone up. In some instances, the prices have gone up by as much as 300 per cent. Oxygen concentrators that usually list online for 1,000 yuan - roughly 11,000 rupees, marking a massive premium. Going by one estimate, their prices now are four to five times higher. Prices for essential ingredients have gone up by 30 to 40 per cent including raw materials for paracetamol which is used for fever and azithromycin, an antibiotic. Ingredients to make ivermectin have shot up by as much as 300 per cent in one instance. Now, various studies claim that this drug shows no benefit when it comes to the COVID-19 infection but the demand for ivermectin is high. So, Chinese suppliers are selling the raw materials for this drug at a premium. Last week, an Indian diplomat shared her concerns with the press. The consul general to Hong Kong said soaring prices and cargo flight disruptions are slowing the arrival of medical goods in India. India's message to Beijing was clear - that even at a time when the demand was high, there needs to be some predictability and that prices just can't increase randomly. The Chinese foreign ministry said the market is free to decide the prices and since Indian buyers are reaching out for supplies through several channels, the multiple requests are causing the prices to rise. “Taking oxygen generators as an example, the rising demand affects the global supply chain. And there are some raw materials, such as those that need to be imported from Europe, and the lack of those supply has brought impact to production capacity. In addition, Indian buyers usually expressed their demand through a variety of channels, sometimes procurement through different channels may also over-amplify the demand to a certain extent, and thus affects the order of the market and push up the price”, Hua Chunying, ministry of foreign affairs spokesperson, said. What Beijing is actually trying to say here is this - Had New Delhi reached out directly for help to Beijing, maybe the price wouldn't fluctuate this much. In a letter to Prime Minister Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping had offered to help. India has made no request to China. But medical supplies brought privately are allowed. So, Chinese suppliers are profiting off India's crisis. And Beijing is simply looking away from this blatant extortion. This is not just a problem for India. The second wave is now hitting not just South Asia but Southeast Asia too. The shortages of medical suppliers are everywhere and China has positioned itself as the sole supplier of medical goods to the region - a monopoly of sorts. This pandemic has created more such monopolies. The western countries are sitting on the largest stockpile of COVID-19 vaccines while the rest of the world is running out of shots. India is struggling to ramp up inoculations despite placing strict restrictions on vaccine exports. Now, COVAX is reporting a severe shortage. COVAX is the international alliance for equitable vaccination access. 92 low and middle income countries depend on it for a COVID-19 vaccine but it is running out of shots. UNICEF is distributing the vaccines given to COVAX. It now says that by end of May, COVAX could have a shortage of 140 million doses. By June, this could go up to 190 million doses. This will only exacerbate vaccine inequality. Some countries are still waiting for their first vaccine while rich countries like Canada and US are now gearing up to vaccinate children. The World Health Organization is now asking these rich countries to halt inoculation for kids. Instead, the world health body wants rich countries to share their vaccines. Rich countries have locked up 53 per cent of the vaccines supplies in the near term. Nearly 1.4 billion shots have been given in 210 countries. 44 per cent of these have been given in high income countries. They account for just 16 per cent of the global population. How many vaccines has the developed world got? Just 0.3 per cent. Less than 1 per cent of the vaccines have gone to 29 lowest income countries in the world. UNICEF has now asked the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US) to donate the excess. If they were to part with just 20 per cent of their supplies, the developing world would get 153 million doses. Monopolies are slowing down the global vaccination drive. Right now, around 23 million doses are administered every day on average globally. At this rate, the developing world may not even get vaccinated until 2023. So, the pandemic could get extended by two years. The quickest way to ramp up vaccinations now is for the developed world to share its doses. India's surge has proved to the world that until this virus is defeated everywhere, all countries are at risk.

How Chinese suppliers are profiteering off India's devastating Covid surge... again

Prime Minister Narendra <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-committed-to-enhancing-capabilities-in-defence-manufacturing-pm-modi-365496">Modi </a>on Tuesday said his government is taking a holistic approach to healthcare in the country and is not just focused on treatment but also wellness.

Addressing a webinar on the effective implementation of the Union Budget's provisions in the health sector, Modi said the Budget allocated for the health sector now is phenomenal and shows the government's commitment towards this sector.

The prime minister said it is time to take accessibility, affordability in healthcare to the next level for which the use of modern technology is being increased.

To keep India healthy, the government is working on four fronts simultaneously -- prevention of illness and promotion of wellness, healthcare access to all, increase in quality and quantity of healthcare infrastructure and professionals, to work on a mission mode to overcome problems, Modi said.

The world has noted the strength shown by India's health sector during the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-over-3-lakh-beneficiaries-receive-2nd-vaccine-dose-tally-reaches-114-crore-365499">COVID-19 </a>pandemic, he said, asserting that respect for India's healthcare had gone up during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the future, demand for Indian doctors and paramedical staff is going to go up around the world, he said.

The prime minister also said that the country has to be prepared for an increasing demand for "Made in India"&nbsp;vaccines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government is taking a holistic approach to healthcare in the country and is not just focused on treatment but also wellness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his government is taking a holistic approach to healthcare in the country and is not just focused on treatment but also wellness. Addressing a webinar on the effective implementation of the Union Budget's provisions in the health sector, Modi said the Budget allocated for the health sector now is phenomenal and shows the government's commitment towards this sector. The prime minister said it is time to take accessibility, affordability in healthcare to the next level for which the use of modern technology is being increased. To keep India healthy, the government is working on four fronts simultaneously -- prevention of illness and promotion of wellness, healthcare access to all, increase in quality and quantity of healthcare infrastructure and professionals, to work on a mission mode to overcome problems, Modi said. The world has noted the strength shown by India's health sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, asserting that respect for India's healthcare had gone up during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the future, demand for Indian doctors and paramedical staff is going to go up around the world, he said. The prime minister also said that the country has to be prepared for an increasing demand for "Made in India" vaccines.

Country has to be prepared for increasing demand for Made in India vaccines: Modi

Pharma major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-researchers-to-combine-pfizer-astrazeneca-vaccines-in-two-short-doses-to-test-efficacy-361227">Pfizer</a> on Friday said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in India.

Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical firm to seek an emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

"In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Pfizer will continue to engage with the authority and resubmit its approval request with additional information as it becomes available in the near future, the statement said.

"Pfizer remains committed to making its vaccine available for use by the Government in India and to pursuing the requisite pathway for emergency use authorisation that enables the availability of this vaccine for any future deployment," the spokesperson said.

Pfizer in its application submitted to the drug regulator in December 2020, had sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in India, besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, official sources had said.

Pharma major Pfizer on Friday said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in India. Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical firm to seek an emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

Pharma major Pfizer on Friday said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in India. Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical firm to seek an emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain. "In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time," a company spokesperson said in a statement. Pfizer will continue to engage with the authority and resubmit its approval request with additional information as it becomes available in the near future, the statement said. "Pfizer remains committed to making its vaccine available for use by the Government in India and to pursuing the requisite pathway for emergency use authorisation that enables the availability of this vaccine for any future deployment," the spokesperson said. Pfizer in its application submitted to the drug regulator in December 2020, had sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in India, besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, official sources had said.

Pfizer withdraws Emergency Use Authorisation application in India

India on Tuesday confirmed that it will be beginning COVID&nbsp;vaccine export starting tomorrow with the first tranche being gifted to 6 neighbouring countries.&nbsp;These countries are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. The vaccines will reach Bhutan at around 11 am local time&nbsp;tomorrow&nbsp;with 150,000 doses and the Maldives at around 2 pm with 100,000 doses.&nbsp;

The Ministry of External Affairs in its release said, "Keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of the humanity fight the Covid pandemic, supplies under grant assistance... from 20 January 2021."

When it comes to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, India is still awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances.

The MEA said, "India will continue to supply countries all over the world with vaccines" and "this will be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations, including under GAVI’s Covax facility to developing countries."

The Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted the announcement as well and, in a tweet, said, "India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community. Supplies of Covid vaccines to several countries will commence tomorrow, and more will follow in the days ahead."

Ahead of the delivery of vaccines, India is conducting training programmes - covering administrative and operational aspects on Tuesday and Wednesday for immunisation managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers of the recipient countries. This is being done both at national and provincial levels.

External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar said, "India fulfils commitment to give vaccines to humanity. Supplies to our neighbours will start on 20th January. The Pharmacy of the World will deliver to overcome the COVID challenge."

India has got requests from a dozen countries for the COVID vaccines.&nbsp;Last year, amid the pandemic, India sent hydroxychloroquine and Paracetamol to 150 countries. &nbsp;India has also been organising several training courses for healthcare workers and administrators of partner countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

India on Tuesday confirmed that it will be beginning COVID vaccine export starting tomorrow with the first tranche being gifted to 6 neighbouring countries. These countries are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles.

India on Tuesday confirmed that it will be beginning COVID vaccine export starting tomorrow with the first tranche being gifted to 6 neighbouring countries. These countries are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles. The vaccines will reach Bhutan at around 11 am local time tomorrow with 150,000 doses and the Maldives at around 2 pm with 100,000 doses. The Ministry of External Affairs in its release said, "Keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine production and delivery capacity to help all of the humanity fight the Covid pandemic, supplies under grant assistance... from 20 January 2021." When it comes to Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius, India is still awaiting their confirmation of necessary regulatory clearances. The MEA said, "India will continue to supply countries all over the world with vaccines" and "this will be calibrated against domestic requirements and international demand and obligations, including under GAVI’s Covax facility to developing countries." The Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted the announcement as well and, in a tweet, said, "India is deeply honoured to be a long-trusted partner in meeting the healthcare needs of the global community. Supplies of Covid vaccines to several countries will commence tomorrow, and more will follow in the days ahead." Ahead of the delivery of vaccines, India is conducting training programmes - covering administrative and operational aspects on Tuesday and Wednesday for immunisation managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers of the recipient countries. This is being done both at national and provincial levels. External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar said, "India fulfils commitment to give vaccines to humanity. Supplies to our neighbours will start on 20th January. The Pharmacy of the World will deliver to overcome the COVID challenge." India has got requests from a dozen countries for the COVID vaccines. Last year, amid the pandemic, India sent hydroxychloroquine and Paracetamol to 150 countries. India has also been organising several training courses for healthcare workers and administrators of partner countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme.

India to gift COVID vaccines to 6 neighbouring countries in first tranche