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PETALING JAYA: Malaysia is using a multi-pronged approach in the race to acquire a vaccine for Covid-19, but it also wants to make sure it does not enter into lopsided deals as it does so, says Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Khairy Jamaluddin.
Khairy said Malaysia is still negotiating the Covid-19 (Covax) vaccine global access allocation plan co-led by the World Health Organization (WHO) as there are some concerns.
“In my discussion with Covax, I think their policy is not to close the door to any country, so we are still in the process of negotiation and discussion, but we have some concerns.
“I have also been discussing with the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General, the Ministry of Health, directly with (Director General of Health) Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah about joining the Covax facility.
“I have presented it to the Prime Minister twice. It’s something we’re still discussing with Covax, ”he said yesterday in a Facebook live session with The Star.
Khairy said that among the concerns is the cost, especially in advance payments, as well as the cost of the vaccine.
Citing an example of Covax’s options, which are committed purchase or optional purchase, Khairy said that the initial payment for the latter scheme to immunize just 10% of the country’s population could amount to RM 90,000.
Regarding the committed purchase, there would be a maximum price of US $ 20 (RM 83) per vaccine or dose.
“So we’re talking about a pretty big commitment here, so cost is obviously an issue.
“We have seen prices that have come from pharmaceutical companies that are more competitive, for example, than the pricing structure that has been proposed through Covax.
“That is why we are still arguing because we want to make sure that the agreement is not lopsided,” he said.
Another concern with Covax is that the negotiations with the pharmaceutical companies are made entirely by the first and not by the representatives of the participating countries.
Other concerns include tax payments, compensation, transportation cost issues, and liability.
“We have been analyzing the implications of these concerns very closely in the last two weeks,” Khairy said.
Being categorized as a middle to high income nation, Malaysia, under Covax, does not receive any subsidies or assistance, making the country a nation that pays for itself.
Khairy said the government has signed non-disclosure agreements with many drug companies, as well as countries at the government-to-government level, to see if the supply of vaccines can be secured once they are subsequently approved.
“I think it is important that we have multiple lines of negotiation at this time.
“My assurance to the Malaysian public is that we are looking into this seriously, we don’t want to be left out, we want to make sure that once the vaccine is approved and available, we will be there and get our initial allocation, at least for the most vulnerable groups. so that we can implement the vaccine first, but at the same time we want to make sure that any deal is not lopsided, is fair and the price is reasonable for the acquisition, “he said.
Khairy said the Malaysian Ministry of Health has very high standards when it comes to the safety and efficacy of the vaccine, so the government wouldn’t want to rush to an agreement unnecessarily.
“But that does not mean that we are not doing anything or that we will be at the end of the queue when everyone gets vaccinated and Malaysians are not.
“We are still discussing and ensuring that Malaysia gets a safe and effective vaccine,” he added.
On September 19, Khairy announced that Malaysia will join Covax and that the government is currently discussing the terms of Malaysia’s participation together with the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi), which operates Covax.
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