Opinions & Interviews
Lukashenko discusses progress to develop Belarus’ antiviral vaccine
At BelVitunipharm. An archive photo
MINSK, 22 August (BelTA) – The development of a Belarusian antiviral vaccine and prospects for expanding the lineup of this kind of products were discussed at the meeting hosted by Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.
“First things first. We need to review progress to implement a very important project, which is development of a domestic antiviral vaccine at BelVitunipharm. In fact, the Vitebsk Oblast governor, who is an expert in this field, promised to get involved in this project. “Money for this project was earmarked from the budget and the innovation fund. According to the plan, the construction of the production facility should be completed this year. As I have been informed, the first stage is over, an experimental batch of the vaccine has been released,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Vitebsk Oblast had already mastered the technology to produce vaccines for animals - this experience can come in handy while developing medicines for humans.
“The company’s solutions might be widely used in the production of other vaccines and medicines in the future,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.
The president asked about the quality and efficacy of the Belarusian vaccine, and how soon it will be able to meet the country’s vaccination needs. “For the time being, we use mostly someone else’s vaccines,” he noted. “By the way, I publicly warn the Healthcare Ministry of the harsh punishment for numerous cases of overreporting and mismanagement during the vaccination campaign that were identified by the State Control Committee.”
The head of state also asked to report on the progress to implement the second stage of the project: “Here, we need to think big and consider expanding the product lineup beyond just one vaccine. I have been told about a promising proposal to make antitumor drugs to treat blood diseases. It is a very important direction. How are these plans aligned with the fulfillment of my instruction to create a biotechnology cluster?”
Vitebsk Oblast Governor Aleksandr Subbotin gave his take on development prospects for the biotechnology industry. “To improve all aspects of biological security of the country, the government has developed and approved a national biological security concept. To achieve the goals set out in the document, it is necessary, first of all, to strengthen ministry-to-ministry cooperation and to improve coordination between all services involved,” he noted.
The governor told the president what had already been done. “An ad-hoc unit was set up as part of the working group under the government. The work of this unit is coordinated by the Healthcare Ministry and the Council under the Council of Ministers. This coordinating unit includes representatives of the Healthcare Ministry, the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the veterinary service, the sanitary service, the Security Council, as well as leading epidemiologists. For now, its work will be supervised by the prime minister. It is supposed to meet once a quarter and coordinate all our efforts,” he said.
Aleksandr Subbotin also reported on the progress to fulfill the instruction of the head of state to set up a biotechnology cluster in Vitebsk Oblast.
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