Bangkok: The Prime Minister discussed with SK Bioscience to enhance vaccine security and enhance the capabilities of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization of Thailand. He believes vaccines will be available within 100 days in the event of a future health outbreak.
According to Thai News Agency, at 9:30 a.m. on October 29, 2015 (local time, which is 2 hours ahead of Thailand), Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, held a discussion with Mr. Ahn Jaeyong, Chairman of SK bioscience Co., Ltd. and his team, a company that is a research and development center for producing various types of vaccines, with Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health, also present.
The Prime Minister stated that during his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health in 2022, he discussed the collaborative project between GPO and NVI with SK Bioscience. The government has a clear goal of enhancing Thailand’s vaccine security and promoting the use of domestically produced vaccines under the national vaccine self-sufficiency strategy. This includes, in particular, enhancing the capacity of the Thai Pharmaceutical Organization’s vaccine manufacturing plant to develop affordable and accessible vaccines for all populations, as well as ensuring comprehensive vaccine coverage. This aims to prepare for and respond to health crises.
The Prime Minister also believes that if GPO and SK Bioscience collaborate on vaccine production, Thailand will have a vaccine available at a reasonable price within 100 days should a new health outbreak occur. This will ensure that the government can care for all groups of people, particularly those in the 608 group.
The president of SK bioscience Co., Ltd. spoke about the Joint Venture (JVC) with the Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO), which will benefit the transfer of vaccine production technology and know-how. He believes the collaboration with Thailand will lead to vaccine production and thanked the Prime Minister for his advice on developing a comprehensive and diverse vaccine to enhance vaccine security both in Thailand and the region.