Maharashtra sought out the Centre’s comment on the SII’s refusal regarding the issue of unused surplus vaccine vials buyback policy and extending expiry dates. Earlier, SII provided an oral response to a petition filed by the private hospitals having near-expiry vaccine vials.

Pooja Tidke, SII advocate stated that certain technical issues can reduce the efficacy of the dose substantially. She added that the company itself has a stock of 251 million doses with a near-expiry date and without a surge in demand the company will have to bear the loss. 

She added that regardless of the predicament, the company doesn’t have a buyback policy but has planned an April 9 guideline to provide 1.66 free doses for the readily available doses in private facilities that were live on April 9. The judges stated that SII should file their reply and the private facilities that fall under the scheme should avail it. Meanwhile, the judges have also issued a notice to centre with a hearing scheduled on June 10.

Source: The Times of India