WHO initiative on Vaccine Research for Coronavirus

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : As per index of average overall global health security score 2019, India has been classified as “more prepared”. On January 30, 2020, following the recommendations of the Emergency Committee, the World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General declared that the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Subsequently. world scientists on COVID-19 met at the World Health Organization’s Geneva headquarters from February 11 to 12, 2020, to assess the current level of knowledge about the new virus, agree on critical research questions that need to be answered urgently, and ways to work together to accelerate and fund priority research that can contribute to curtail this outbreak and prepare for future outbreaks.

The Government of India is regularly reviewing the situation to ensure adequate supplies of medicine to the patients. In view of the recent outbreak of COVID-19 and concern of the logistics for COVID-19 management particularly during the recent past and that masks (2 ply & 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitisers have been noted to be either not available with most of the vendors in the market or are available with great difficulty at exorbitant prices, The Government has notified an Order under the Essential Commodities (ECs) Act, 1955, to declare these items as Essential Commodities up to June 30, 2020, by amending the Schedule of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Central Government has also issued an advisory under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009.

Under the Essential Commodities Act, after discussions with the manufacturers, States can ask them to enhance their production capacity of these items to make the supply chain smooth, while under the Legal Metrology Act, the States can ensure sale of both the items at the maxim retail price (MRP). The States may take action against the offenders under the EC Act. An offender under the EC Act may be punished with an imprisonment up to 7 years or fine or both.

The decision would empower the Government and States to regulate production, quality, distribution etc. of masks (2 ply & 3 ply surgical masks, N95 masks) and hand sanitisers and to smoothen the sale and availability of these items and carry out operations against orders speculators etc. and those involved in over pricing, black-marketing etc. It will enhance the availability of both the items to the general people at reasonable prices or under MRP, according to a PIB release.

The States have also been advised to give publicity to State Helplines for registering complaints by the consumers of the above two items. The consumers may also register their complaints in this matter with the National Consumer Helpline No. 1800-11-4000, Online Complaints: www.consumerhelpline.gov.in, Department’s Website www.consumeraffairs.nic.in, dsadmin-ca@nic.in and dirwm-ca@nic.insecy.doca@gov.in.