NMRA to Make Final Decision Next Week

By Faadhila Thassim and Tharaka Samman

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) is to arrive at its final decision on the approval of the Indian COVISHIELD vaccine over the next week.

India began the delivery of their locally manufactured COVID-19 vaccine under grant assistance to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles yesterday (20),while the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius has not provided necessary confirmation.

The NMRA noted that only approval for the Indian vaccine has been sought so far and studies are currently being carried out by experts into other vaccines. COVISHIELD in India is the local name given for the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine that was developed in the UK 

Meanwhile, the State Minister of Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control, Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle stated that Sri Lanka would receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine between mid-February or end of February 2021.