DUOPHARMA Biotech Berhad has further strengthened Malaysia’s Covid-19 vaccination efforts by distributing the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine.
The company had earlier entered into an agreement to import the vaccine from Beijing, China, covering a collaboration for the Malaysian market. Duopharma (M) Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Duopharma Biotech, has been authorised by Sinopharm as the product registration holder and to engage in the sales and distribution of the vaccine.
Duopharma Biotech said in a recent statement that in July 2021, the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Drug Control Authority (DCA) had approved the conditional registration of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine for use in Malaysia. The vaccine is also included in the World Health Organisation’s emergency use listing (EUL) and is approved for emergency use in over 65 countries, including various European Union countries.
Duopharma Biotech is one of Malaysia’s leading pharmaceutical companies listed on Bursa Malaysia.
In addition, Sinopharm is among six brands of Covid-19 vaccines recognised by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, allowing Muslims who have been administered with the vaccine to perform the haj or umrah in Mecca. The Sinopharm vaccine is currently indicated for use in individuals aged 18 to 59 years.
“We are glad that Malaysia has managed to achieve a very high level of vaccination among adults and is making good progress among adolescents. The challenge in overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic requires collaboration and coordination at all levels.
“Duopharma Biotech is committed to supporting the Government’s vaccination programme and augmenting the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (NIP), by expanding vaccine distribution channels to ensure full vaccine coverage in Malaysia,” said Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director of Duopharma Biotech.
The first shipments of the Sinopharm vaccine arrived in Malaysia in batches in September 2021 and is now widely available at clinics and private hospitals nationwide. With a shelf life of 24 months, it is appropriate for longer-term vaccination efforts.
Additionally, the Sinopharm vaccine is a convenient single-dose per vial of 0.5mL that helps to prevent wastage and is easy for planning vaccine administration. The vaccines cold chain storage is also straightforward, at a standard conventional storage temperature of 2°C to 8°C.
Administration of the vaccine is fully integrated into the national immunisation system, where the vaccines are tracked based on the Vaccine Management System provided by the MoH, with real-time integration of both MyVAS and the MySejahtera app.
Those receiving their first and second doses will immediately have these recorded on their MySejahtera accounts and receive their digital certificate accordingly.
For vaccination of large groups, such as the workforce in manufacturing facilities, Duopharma Biotech, via collaboration with healthcare organisers, provides private vaccination services and mobile vaccine clinics.
Healthcare providers interested in procuring the Sinopharm vaccine or corporations wishing to arrange for vaccination may contact Duopharma Biotech’s Customer Service for enquiries via email at cs@duopharmabiotech.com. — The Health
