KUALA LUMPUR – Kanger International Bhd aimed to purchase five million Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine doses from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with deliveries commencing as early as July.
In a statement today, Kanger said the target will be achieved through its wholly owned subsidiary Kanger Medical International Sdn Bhd’s binding and conditional heads of agreement (HOA) with Sparmak Medical Equipment Trading LLC, an authorised partner of G42 Medications Trading LLC.
“The HOA also provides Kanger an option to subsequently purchase an additional five million vaccine doses,” it said.
Executive director Steven Kuah Choon Ching said the agreement represents the beginning of a long-term strategic venture to commence the distribution of these made-in-UAE vaccines in Malaysia.
“Amid the limited supply of vaccines and surging cases, we believe it is vital to look for alternative sources of supply to expedite the vaccination efforts in Malaysia.
“With a steady supply of vaccines, we are confident that the government can achieve its target of having 80% of Malaysians vaccinated by December 2021,” he said.
Earlier this year, China-based Sinopharm entered a joint venture with UAE-based G42 Medications to produce the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines in the UAE under the Hayat-Vax brand.
The made-in-UAE vaccine is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be produced in the Arab world.
Kuah said the Hayat-Vax jab is essentially the same Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine, but manufactured in UAE.
“Hence, we are confident that it will be well received and accepted by the Malaysian people as an effective vaccine towards the global fight against the pandemic,” he added.
Kanger has also been authorised by G42 Medications to be the product registration holder and distributor of the Hayat-Vax in Malaysia.
On behalf of G42 Medications, Kanger said it has submitted the necessary applications to obtain the required approvals from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency for Hayat-Vax to be used in Malaysia. – Bernama, July 19, 2021