Pakistan nears deal with Indonesian firm for local vaccine production

Pakistan is close to an agreement with Indonesia’s Bio-Farma to produce three vaccines locally, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said, according to Business Recorder. An Indonesian team has inspected the proposed production arrangements, and the plan involves technology transfer from Indonesian pharmaceutical firms.

Kamal also said Pakistan has signed agreements worth $400 million with international companies to establish local facilities for active pharmaceutical ingredients, with production expected to come online in stages over 18 to 24 months. The country currently imports 13 vaccines from Bio-Farma and relies heavily on imported drug ingredients; the minister said international support for vaccine purchases is expected to end by 2031, when annual costs are estimated at $1.2 billion.