<p>The very first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine was administered in the country on Friday, as part of a pilot launch in Hyderabad.</p>.<p>Dr Reddy's Laboratories, manager of the Russian made Covid-19 vaccine in India, has announced that the imported doses are priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5 % GST -- totalling to about Rs 995 per dose, “with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins.”</p>.<p>The pharma major said that it is “working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfil the regulatory requirements and to ensure a smooth and timely supply of the vaccines.”</p>.<p>Hetero, Virchow, Panacea, Gland, Stellis, Shilpa are the six production sites in India identified earlier, where the Sputnik V production is expected to commence in the second half of 2021.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/big-promises-few-doses-why-russia-is-struggling-to-make-sputnik-v-doses-985831.html" target="_blank">Big promises, few doses: Why Russia is struggling to make Sputnik V doses</a></strong></p>.<p>The two dose vaccine, found to be displaying 91.6 per cent efficacy against Covid-19 infection as per an article in The Lancet, was approved for emergency use in India by the Drugs Controller General of India in April, amid the massive surge in the second wave cases and shortage of Covishied and Covaxin vaccines.</p>.<p>The Hyderabad based company is in an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to supply 250 million imported doses in India. As per the deal in September 2020, DRL also undertook the Phase-2 and 3 trials of Sputnik-V in India, on 1600 volunteers.</p>.<p>The first dose now is part of the first consignment of 1.5 lakh Sputnik V doses received by DRL on May 1. The consignment received the regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli on Thursday.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/sputnik-v-to-be-available-for-customers-in-india-by-mid-june-after-stock-ramp-up-says-dr-reddys-985875.html" target="_blank">Sputnik V to be available for customers in India by mid-June after stock ramp-up, says Dr Reddy's</a></strong></p>.<p>“As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad on Friday. Further consignments of the imported doses are expected over the coming months,” DRL said in a statement.</p>.<p>Dr Reddy’s said it “will work closely with the government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort.”</p>.<p>“With the rising cases in India, vaccination is the most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe,” said G V Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director.</p>
<p>The very first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine was administered in the country on Friday, as part of a pilot launch in Hyderabad.</p>.<p>Dr Reddy's Laboratories, manager of the Russian made Covid-19 vaccine in India, has announced that the imported doses are priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5 % GST -- totalling to about Rs 995 per dose, “with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins.”</p>.<p>The pharma major said that it is “working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfil the regulatory requirements and to ensure a smooth and timely supply of the vaccines.”</p>.<p>Hetero, Virchow, Panacea, Gland, Stellis, Shilpa are the six production sites in India identified earlier, where the Sputnik V production is expected to commence in the second half of 2021.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/big-promises-few-doses-why-russia-is-struggling-to-make-sputnik-v-doses-985831.html" target="_blank">Big promises, few doses: Why Russia is struggling to make Sputnik V doses</a></strong></p>.<p>The two dose vaccine, found to be displaying 91.6 per cent efficacy against Covid-19 infection as per an article in The Lancet, was approved for emergency use in India by the Drugs Controller General of India in April, amid the massive surge in the second wave cases and shortage of Covishied and Covaxin vaccines.</p>.<p>The Hyderabad based company is in an agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund to supply 250 million imported doses in India. As per the deal in September 2020, DRL also undertook the Phase-2 and 3 trials of Sputnik-V in India, on 1600 volunteers.</p>.<p>The first dose now is part of the first consignment of 1.5 lakh Sputnik V doses received by DRL on May 1. The consignment received the regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli on Thursday.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/sputnik-v-to-be-available-for-customers-in-india-by-mid-june-after-stock-ramp-up-says-dr-reddys-985875.html" target="_blank">Sputnik V to be available for customers in India by mid-June after stock ramp-up, says Dr Reddy's</a></strong></p>.<p>“As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad on Friday. Further consignments of the imported doses are expected over the coming months,” DRL said in a statement.</p>.<p>Dr Reddy’s said it “will work closely with the government and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort.”</p>.<p>“With the rising cases in India, vaccination is the most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe,” said G V Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director.</p>