PHARMA major Dr Reddy’s on Tuesday said it has received regulatory approval for emergency use of Sputnik V, which will be imported from Russia, paving the way for the third COVID vaccine in India. The Russian Direct Investment Fund said, more than 850 million doses of Sputnik V are going to be produced annually in India — the 60th country to approve the vaccine. The company has received permission from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to import the Sputnik vaccine into India for restricted use in emergency situations, Dr Reddy’s said in a regulatory filing.

 

 

“We are very pleased to obtain the emergency use authorisation for Sputnik V in India. With the rising cases in India, vaccination is the most effective tool in our battle against COVID-19. This will enable us to contribute to our nation’s effort of vaccinating a significant proportion of our population,” said Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Co-chairman and MD GV Prasad. Sputnik V ranks second among coronavirus vaccines globally in terms of the number of approvals issued by Government regulators, Dr Reddy’s said. In September 2020, the company had partnered with the RDIF to conduct the clinical trials of Sputnik V and distribute the vaccine in India.