PHARMANIAGA Bhd is setting up a RM300 million plant for halal insulin and vaccines in Puchong, Selangor.

The facility is expected to be fully completed by end of next year. Construction started two years ago.

Pharmaniaga group managing director Zulkarnain Md Eusope said the plant will start marketing activities in early 2024.

The facility will make insulin, as well as Covid-19 vaccines and other vaccines, and have an annual production capacity of up to 300 million doses, he added.

“The pandemic has taught us that Malaysia must have drug security, so we are planning to achieve that.

“We are already in talks with the Health Ministry and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry.

“To date, our vaccine supply has been fully imported.

“With the plant, we will be able to develop our own vaccines via collaborations with India, Thailand and South Korea, thus ensuring we are not dependent on other countries for vaccines.”

Pharmaniaga has delivered 20.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to the government to date, with 14 million doses remaining.

Zulkarnain said the company is focusing on marketing the existing supply to the private sector.

“We advise parents to get their children jabbed to protect them against the virus, as only 30% of the group have received their shots.” – Bernama, May 15, 2022.