There are growing fears as Pakistan has allowed private companies to import coronavirus vaccines and has exempted the jab from price caps in a divisive move that will create vast inequalities in access and distribution of the vaccine.
Pakistan has been scrambling to secure vaccine supplies but so far only the Chinese-made SinoPharm vaccine has been deployed. This month half a million doses were donated by China and the inoculation drive has been mired in controversies. Pakistan has been relying on Covax vaccine initiative backed by WHO and Gavi Alliance but has yet to receive any of the 17 million doses. Amid all the uncertainty, the federal cabinet made the controversial decision to allow the private sector to import COVID-19 vaccines.
The cabinet granted permission for unlimited imports of coronavirus vaccines, which could be sold to customers. No price cap was set. The health adviser did not announce the decision and it was revealed by the media. Fawad Chaudhry said if the private sector was not included in the vaccination drive, it would be impossible for Pakistan to vaccinate its entire population. Regarding the lack of price cap, the minister said attempts to control the market fail when the private sector is involved.
Pakistan is one of the first to market the coronavirus jab privately as most countries are controlling and administering the vaccines through government channels. Just days after the decision, a private lab has announced that Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine will be available for commercial sale soon.
The decision to allow private sales of the vaccine without a price cap in a low-income country will face criticism as it will deepen inequality in society when there is a need to have widespread coverage. This shows that the government has caved in to pressure from Big Pharma who are highly influential and can now sell the vaccine at any prices it seems fit, making them accessible only to the rich and wealthy.
The prime minister had spoken about an equitable and fair distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and rich nations have been accused of hoarding vaccines rather than giving them to underdeveloped countries. However, the decision of allowing the private sector will also prevent equal access to the vaccine within the country. The government should focus on its population as health is a fundamental right and should ensure that everyone gets a vaccine at affordable rates.
