Globally, drug makers are involved in the process of developing a coronavirus vaccine to end the pandemic. But, several have also expressed concerns about a potential shortage of ancillary supplies once the vaccine is developed.
For instance, drug makers need to assure the availability of active pharmaceutical ingredients, along with ancillary supplies namely glass vials, rubber stopper, aluminium seal etc. to launch and distribute a vaccine. Over time, any pharma product will interact with the packaging material. In some cases, this can harm the efficacy of the product or lead to side effects, therefore assuring the quality of packaging materials are paramount.
In the case of a vaccine, glass is considered the best choice of packaging material. According to a statement issued by SCHOTT AG, “In the context of COVID-19, it makes good sense to choose a material whose chemical properties are well known, like borosilicate glass. This speciality glass has been used for packaging drugs for over 100 years. More than 50 billion containers are made of it per annum. Every single day, more than 135 million injections are administered out of a borosilicate glass container.”
The statement also highlighted, “Based on inputs from research institutes, the World Health Organization (WHO) pandemic emergency plans and feedback from our customers in the pharma industry, we estimate that one billion units are required for an initial global vaccination campaign. That equals roughly two per cent of the current annual demand for borosilicate glass containers for injectable drugs. Yet, further vials will probably be required for the COVID-19 treatments as well as other unrelated therapies that have been postponed because of the crisis. The demand for borosilicate glass has indeed increased.”
So, is there a shortage?
After understanding the global situation and drug makers’ rush to ensure the ancillary supplies, it sort of created a panic situation not only in the global pharma market but also among Indian drug manufacturers. However, the situation in India seems to be well prepared to deal with the rising demand as the ancillary manufacturers have considerable capacity and capabilities to meet the requirements.
However, Indian ancillary manufacturers assure that they are gearing up to meet the requirements of the pharma industry.
Rishad Dadachanji, Director, SCHOTT KAISHA, replied, “We at SCHOTT KAISHA has enough capacity to cope with the requirements of our customers. Being connected with almost all vaccine suppliers, we are in a comfortable position to deliver. As we know, many companies in India are working towards a successful vaccine. Whoever is out with it first, and desires to source their vials from us, we are more than capable to supply to them. SCHOTT KAISHA manufacturers over three billion pieces of ampoules/vials/syringes and cartridges annually from its plants in Daman, and Jambusar and Umarsadi (Gujarat). Our upcoming facility at Baddi will further add to these numbers.”
Alagu Subramaniam, Managing Director, West Pharmaceutical Packaging India, said, “As a leading solution provider of drug manufacturers and delivery systems, West and our partner, Daikyo are supporting our customers with the COVID-19 opportunities. We have already received the bulk order from many vaccine companies, who are in the advanced stage of clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccine. The companies are placing orders for FluroTec laminated rubber stoppers.”
How is the industry gearing up to meet the demand?
SCHOTT AG is increasing its manufacturing of borosilicate glass tubing by 40,000 tons providing enough raw material to produce an extra 6.8 billion standard vials. Such vials will be the preferred type of packaging for the initial release of the vaccine. Pre-filled syringes could be an option, yet contain more parts and substances like a plunger, lubricant, or needle glue, and thus require more testing to reduce the risk of drug/container interaction.
Subramaniam commented, “There are multiple manufacturers like J&J, AstraZeneca (Oxford), GSK/Sanofi etc., involved in the making of COVID-19 vaccine; so, without them coordinating, we might have over one billion doses produced in 2021. In the short term, our Fluro...
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