Thailand to export vaccines by 2017

BANGKOK, November 26 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Public Health has targeted to export, at least, five domestically-developed vaccines to overseas markets by 2017, after the establishment of the National Vaccine Institute as a public organisation was effective in August 2012. Thai Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr. Narong Sahamethapat said on Monday that his ministry plans to first export five types of vaccines, including, the Dengue, the Japanese Encephalitis or JE developed through the genetic engineering, the Diphtheria, the Pertussis, the Tetanus, the Hepatitis B and the BCG, over the next five years. Dr. Narong acknowledged that his ministry is setting up a committee tasked with administrating and seeking phases of state budget to fund the production of the five vaccines for a sufficient supply in the country and for exports. According to the high ranking official, his ministry initially needs a budget of 10 million baht for the production of the five vaccines and will later seek the Cabinet's approvals for more budget to sponsor the project. (TNA)