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Monday, January 4, 2016

Union Minister for Science and Technology Harsh Vardhan, on Sunday claimed indigenous vaccines against dengue and malaria are in an advanced stage of development.

Addressing the 103rd session of the Indian Science Congress in Mysuru, the minister said that Indian scientists were close to developing both vaccines that would be made available to the public once they are ready.

The minister pointed out that rota virus vaccine against diarrhoeal diseases was developed in India at a fraction of the cost, compared to the vaccines available in the international market. He said a cheaper medicine for diabetics – BGR-34 was launched through technology transfer by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. The Science ministry would establish five technology research centres for taking up translational research.

Recalling a previous call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inter-ministerial collaboration, Vardhan said his ministry was collaborating with the ministries of Railways, Human Resource Development and industries, among others.