New GLC to do research, produce vaccines for contagious diseases

2009/11/30

KUALA LUMPUR: The government has set up a government linked company (GLC) to do research and produce vaccines for contagious diseases like Influenza A(H1N1) said deputy Health minister Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin. Realising the importance of vaccines for the prevention of contagious diseases, the government has set up the company, 9BIO, under the Ministry of Finance. "The company will carry out research and produce vaccines, not only for Malaysia but also other countries in the region," Rosnah told the Dewan Rakyat here today.

Rosnah added that Malaysia have yet to produce vaccines because the Institute of Medical Research was still carrying out studies and research to identify the genetics of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus.

"The study and research is important to identify any mutation so that the process can be used to produce vaccines," said Rosnah when answering a question by Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (BN-Alor Gajah).

Fong had wanted to know if there was any country that had succeeded in producing vaccines for A(H1N1) and whether the Ministry was carrying out any research to produce vaccines. Rosnah said the ministry was working with London-based international pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline that produces vaccines.

The government had placed orders for 400,000 doses of the A(H1N1) vaccine at a cost of RM14 million, and the first consignment of 46,000 doses had been received in November and another 78,000 doses are expected by year end while the remainder, by January 2010, said Rosnah.

She added that additional orders would be placed if the 400,000 was not enough.
"The vaccines will be given to the frontliners working at the country's 53 entry and exit points because they are the high risk group due to their direct involvement in the control of the disease," said Rosnah. -- BERNAMA