Africa-Press – South-Africa. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that a breakthrough in the clinical trial for an oral cholera vaccine presents a significant opportunity for South Africa to reduce its dependence on international pharmaceuticals.
The minister addressed the media at the launch of the cholera vaccine, a historical first for the nation to be manufactured locally, at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto.
South African biopharmaceutical company, Biovac, and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) have already begun clinical trials of the life-saving vaccine.
Minister Motsoaledi acknowledged the difficulty for countries in the Global South to manufacture their own pharmaceuticals, including vaccines.
“Because those are generally manufactured in the Global North. South Africa is no exception; that is why during our G20 presidency, we immediately told the world that we are going to put [this as a discussion point] for them to discuss,” the minister said.
During the launch, Professor Glenda Gray, chief scientific officer at the SAMRC, explained that the vaccine was administered orally in two doses, to be taken two weeks apart. Professor Gray confirmed that, so far, the patients who had volunteered for the clinical trial had consumed the vaccine with no complications or side effects detected.
Minister Motsoaledi added that this breakthrough will also be discussed at the upcoming World Leaders’ G20 Summit.
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