Sputnik Light may soon be only version available in India amid low demand

Amid low demand and problems with import, Sputnik Light, the single-dose version of the Sputnik V vaccine, may become the only variant available in India. Moreover, local manufacturers have either reduced or stopped production of the first dose components of the Sputnik thanks to low demand, claimed industry sources.

Sputnik V is a heterogeneous vaccine where dose 1 and dose 2 are two different components. Several Indian manufacturers have been making the first dose component here while Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) has been importing the second dose component.

Recently, DRL got approval from the Indian drug regulator for Sputnik Light. DRL is trying to seek approval to use Sputnik Light as a booster or precaution dose. It is also in discussions to supply Sputnik Light to public health programmes.

Industry insiders, thus, feel that Sputnik Light may be the only version available in India. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has hobbled the import of Sputnik’s second dose component.

So far, Sputnik V has not been procured by the government, and has been used only in the private sector. The company, however, did not share the price of Sputnik Light. DRL is the marketing partner of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the Sputnik V and Sputnik Light vaccines.

Meanwhile, local manufacturing partners have either halted or reduced production of Sputnik Light owing to low demand.

“We have stopped production of the Sputnik first dose component due to low demand. The raw material or drug substance for the first dose component is available in India, while the second dose component of the Sputnik V vaccine is imported in fill-finish form,” said a top official at a contract manufacturing firm for Sputnik V.

Only 1.2 million doses of the vaccine have been sold her since launch. Sputnik V is priced at Rs 995 inclusive of taxes. Hospitals say they have not ordered Sputnik V doses in the recent past, and have no immediate plans to order.

“Currently, a significant population is vaccinated in Mumbai and surrounding areas. Hence, demand for single doses will not come from this segment. As per precautionary dose policy, the same vaccine needs to be given. Hence, unless we get demand in future for the next cycle of vaccination, I don’t think we will procure the same,” said Joy Chakraborty, chief operating officer of PD Hinduja Hospital in Mumbai.

As the crisis escalates, imports from these countries face a challenge.

In a recent statement, RDIF said: “The restrictions imposed by the US authorities complicating RDIF efforts on the international promotion of the Russian vaccine products, have been lobbied by a number of large Western pharmaceutical companies. As a result of such unfair competition, billions of people around the world may be deprived of access to effective and safe Russian-made vaccines.”

Meanwhile, DRL is keeping a close watch on the situation and did not comment on whether imports of Sputnik second dose components would stop.

A company spokesperson said, “On Sputnik, we have manufacturing capabilities in India and drug substances are not imported. Hence, there is no impact. Overall, we are monitoring evolving developments closely and preparing accordingly.”

Sanctions-hit Russian wealth fund says it supports peace (Reuters)

The sanctions-hit Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which markets Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, on Wednesday said it hopes that Russian and Ukrainian officials can reach a peace deal.

The United States and Britain have announced sanctions against RDIF, a financial entity functioning as a sovereign wealth fund and designed to attract capital into high-growth sectors, over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.