Morocco has announced plans to produce and distribute the Russian vaccine Sputnik V on its own soil. The project will be handled by a Moroccan laboratory that is present in several African countries.
According to Artyom Tsinamdzgvrishvili, Russia’s trade representative in Morocco and head of Moscow Trade Missions, the “great effectiveness” of the Russian vaccine has prompted Morocco, who is now represented by private sectors, to show a great interest in the “importation and subsequent localization of Sputnik V.
“A partner has been chosen and documents from cooperation have been signed with a key Moroccan production laboratory, which also has a large presence in African countries,” the trade representative said to Russian outlet Sputnik news.
According to him, Morocco’s strategic geographical location in the production and manufacture of the vaccine will expand market opportunities in sub-Saharan Africa. A positive development in the development of the cooperation will soon be announced, says Tsinamdzgvrishvili.
The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Russia (SAM) has certified Sputnik V as halal, making it fit for administration to the Muslim population. The “V” in the name stands for victory (over COVID-19), says Kirill Dmitriev, CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund.
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According to independent experts, this vaccine is 91.6% effective against symptomatic forms of Covid-19, reported by the medical journal The Lancet.
The Russian vaccine had been approved by the technical and scientific committee based on data relating to clinical trials and the demonstration that it is safe and tolerable.
While countries raced for an effective vaccine in the early, spooky months of the COVID crisis, some European countries approved the Russian vaccine without the green light of the European Medicines Agency.
Along with Morocco, 43 other countries approved its use for emergency purposes, including the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt, and several European countries, including Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
The Galenica laboratories will be in charge of both the purchase and production of the Russian vaccine in Morocco.
Galenica CEO Abdelghani El Guermai’s laboratories will oversee all regulatory requirements for obtaining the marketing authorization for the Spoutnik V vaccine. All logistics for distribution to the designated vaccination centers will be handled by these laboratories under the Department of Health.
As the only Moroccan-African pharmaceutical laboratory in Russia certified to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), it has the capability to produce the vaccine locally.
“It is possible, we have provided for it in our agreement with our Russian partners. Nevertheless, such a project will require an in-depth study justifying the necessary investments since this project will concern the needs of Morocco and other countries, especially Africa,” the CEO says.
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