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It does not take much intuition to conclude that the Torlak Institute gained a reputation when it was run by renowned experts (virologist Ljubinko Stojković and his associates), and that it collapsed during the last quarter of a century, when politicians, with one exception, imposed their Lack of profesionalism. and unskilled personnel, such as gynecologists (JUL), surgeons (DS) and, for the last eight years, physiatrists (SNS).
The government clearly works against the interests of the people when it entrusts its incompetent and often disinterested followers with the management of institutions of national importance. Theft may not be the only reason for such unreasonable decisions “from above,” but we remain deprived of some other somewhat logical explanation.
Over time, the institute stopped producing vaccines against polio, diphtheria, and pertussis, because it did not follow technological developments, and against influenza because it lost its license after 2006. The world has generously helped create the conditions for the safe production of the flu vaccine (cold room, centrifuge, etc.), but the optimistic promises of the Torlak management: “Here, we go” have failed for years.
The chances of receiving a domestic vaccine have vanished along with the harassment, firing or flight of some fifty of the best experts who even went on strike 5-6 years ago. The entire plant was staffed, so last year, as an indication of some kind of renovation, news was received that the long-awaited vaccine had been manufactured.
This chronicler of the situation of our health care then referred to the regulations on the availability of information of public importance and requested basic data from the Torlak Institute and the Agency for Medicines and Health Products (ALIMS). It is indicative that he was left with no response.
The conspiracy of the entire effort is also indicated by the behavior of certain Torlak experts who are willing to “open the soul” in a conversation in the park, but avoid cafes, telephones and emails.
What oddities cry out for clarification?
First, many hundreds of thousands of chicken eggs are needed for the influenza vaccine manufacturing technology used in our country. Is there any trace of such public procurement this spring, when the time came?
Secondly, only on October 5 (!), The director of “Torlak” signed a contract with the company “Spasić-Farm” of Ćićevac for a value of about nine million dinars, according to the Public Procurement Law, if retail prices were used, and that would be bad. work, 900,000 eggs were ordered).
Third, since the delivery time is “14 days from the day of the Buyer’s written request”, it means that the eggs arrived before the release of Belgrade, at the time when it was promised that the vaccines would already be sent to health institutions (!). How were they made then? Are there scrambled eggs without eggs?
Fourth, we would be distracted by the logical pun on that contract, but let’s mention just one: the criteria for choosing the only (!) Bidder was “the most economically advantageous offer”, reminiscent of the once popular children’s joke about the God’s command to Adam: “Choose a wife!”.
Fifth, several experts from “Torlak” claim that the flu vaccine was recently imported “in bulk”, that is. in large jars and, as is jargon, as a finished intermediate. Why would all these people band together to rob the house that feeds them, unless it’s a matter of conscience?
Sixth, good manufacturing practice indicates the continuity of the production process until the vaccine is dispensed in individual doses (primary packaging). Why was there a break in this case? Was the risk inevitable because the product was spilled from a distant world?
Seventh, for the vaccine to be truly domestic, the stability of the new product must be determined, that is, coherence of action at certain intervals of time. When and how was this necessary condition fulfilled?
Eighth, for which and from whom did ALIMS issue the necessary certificate? Does the mysterious royal manufacturer have a license from the European Medicines Agency in London?
Ninth, why were 17 “Torlak” workers separated from the rest of the collective for spilling and packing the vaccine, with a strict prohibition on mentioning to others what they did and how they did it?
Tenth, if last year’s trial production was tested in the working population (mainly soldiers and police) and consequently approved for the population aged 18 to 65, what age restrictions will apply to this vaccine?
There would be more questions and doubts, but we eagerly await the answer to at least some of the 10 dilemmas listed.
The author is an epidemiologist, retired professor at the Faculty of Medicine.
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