"We have not developed HIV vaccine because it requires high technology."Kuta, Bali (ANTARA News) - Indonesia has huge potential to become a global hub of vaccine development, President Director of PT Bio Farma Iskandar said here on Tuesday.
Bandung-based pharmaceutical company Bio Farma, Indonesia`s sole vaccine manufacturer, has exported vaccines to 117 countries.
"Among Muslim-majority countries, we (Indonesia) are number one," Iskandar said prior to the 13th Meeting of Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), which will be held from October 31 through November 2 in Kuta, Bali.
There are 14 developing countries that produce vaccines. Among the Muslim majority countries in the group, Indonesia has the largest potential as a vaccine producer, he noted.
Iran has been a major vaccine producer, but the country is now facing a technology embargo and has not been able to take part in prequalification program conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), Iskandar pointed out.
Bio Farma and Indonesia`s Food and Drug Supervision Agency (BPOM) have been recognized by the WHO through the prequalification program conducted since 1997, he explained.
Therefore, Iskandar added, Bio Farma received the license to export high-quality, affordable vaccines to many developing countries.
The company produces, among other things, 1.4 billion doses of polio vaccine annually.
Indonesia has a chance to become a hub of vaccine research and development, Iskandar stated.
Established in 1890, Bio Farma is focusing on the production of anti-diarrhoea vaccine, rotavirus, and will continue to do so for the coming several years.
"We have not developed HIV vaccine because it requires high technology," Iskandar said.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/S012)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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