Morocco was planning to start manufacturing Sinopharm’s anti-COVID-19 vaccine from December onwards, however as the month draws to a close, the vaccine is yet to be produced.
The delay is primarily due to ongoing analysis of the verification samples and tests to ensure that the Moroccan-produced vaccine is compatible with the original vaccine, according to a statement issued by the Health Minister, Khalid Ait Taleb.
In response to Hespress’ question about the scheduled manufacturing of the “Made in Morocco” anti-COVID-19 vaccine, the Health Minister said, “Everything is ready, we are just waiting for the final results of the verification samples to make sure that they match the original vaccine, and we will soon announce the manufacture of the vaccine.”
The government and the pharmaceutical company had originally set the start date for manufacturing in December as part of the agreements signed by Khalid Ait Taleb, and Sothema CEO Lamia Tazi in early July under King Mohammed VI.
During the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the national manufacturing of medical devices and health products in the country, which was signed in cooperation with the Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, Ait Taleb said that “Morocco has developed a new strategy that relies on the national industry in the field of medicines and health products, especially medical devices in order to ensure national sovereignty.”
The same government official stressed that “the local industry of medical devices and health products is a strategic policy for Morocco and its security, will play a key role in the national economy’s growth as well as boosting the country’s ability to create sustainable opportunities in the industrial sector,” stressing the need to keep pace with partners.
This project, which is worth USD 500 million, about EUR 421 million, will help to meet the needs of Morocco’s national vaccination campaign as well as contribute to Morocco’s role as the leading supplier of vaccines in Africa.
Morocco has set a five-year strategy for becoming able to manufacture several types of vaccines and has plans to establish partnerships with several scientific institutions to develop different types of vaccines once the methods for manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine have been mastered.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.