Vaccine prices shouldn’t be compared with India’s: Finance minister
AHM Mustafa Kamal pointed out that India will add profit with the production cost during vaccine exports
India is manufacturing the Covid-19 vaccine locally, so the people of Bangladesh should not expect to buy the shots at a price similar to that of the neighbouring country, said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal on Wednesday.
However, if a country tries to charge Bangladesh more for the vaccine than the international market price, the shots might be bought from another country, he added, while speaking to the media after a virtual Cabinet Committee Meeting on Government Purchase.
Responding to a query, Kamal said, "I do not know whether the vaccine Bangladesh bought is overpriced or not. India is manufacturing it domestically, so the price will be lower in that country. During export, they will add profit to the production cost.
"However, we will see to it that we are not cheated."
He continued, "We will review the vaccine prices with those in the international market. A number of countries are making vaccines. So, if a country asks for a higher price for the shots, we will try another country. We still have this opportunity."
Adding that many people in Bangladesh are waiting for the Covid-19 vaccine, the minister said, "Bringing vaccine shots into the country is not very difficult, but administering the doses is. Getting everyone under the vaccine's coverage is a complicated task.
"We will move forward after taking adequate measures to complete this task successfully."