TUMPAT: Pharmaniaga Bhd is setting up a RM300mil halal insulin and vaccine plant in Puchong, Selangor, which is expected to be fully completed by end-2023.

       Group managing director Datuk Zulkarnain Md Eusope said the plant would start marketing activities in early 2024.

       According to him, the plant will make Covid-19 and other vaccines as well as insulin with a production capacity of 100 million to 300 million doses annually.

       “The pandemic has taught us that Malaysia should have drug security, so we are planning to achieve that as well as having discussions with the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry and Health Ministry.

       “To date, our vaccine supply has been fully imported.

       “Hence, with the plant, we will be able to develop vaccines ourselves in Malaysia through collaborations with Thailand, South Korea and India, thus ensuring we are not dependent on other countries for vaccines,” he said. — Bernama