International organizations highlighted Cuban anti-Covid-19 vaccines

Havana, Sep 16 (RHC) International organizations and experts highlighted Thursday the importance of Cuban anti-Covid-19 vaccines for the region and the world, in the midst of the complex epidemiological scenario due to the pandemic.

The deputy director of the Pan American Health Organization -PAHO-, Jarbas Barbosa, acknowledged the effort and results of our country in the development of these drugs and the value of having them.

This Thursday, the first official technical meeting between Cuban, PAHO and World Health Organization (WHO) specialists took place virtually as part of the international recognition of the Caribbean nation's vaccines.

At the meeting, chaired by Dr. Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, the next steps were agreed upon to give continuity to this process.

The Cuban scientists presented details of the results in clinical trials of Soberana 02, Soberana Plus and Abdala, as well as the vaccine candidates Soberana 01 and Mambisa.

The meeting was also attended by specialists from the Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices, the national regulatory authority, who explained the process of certification of compliance with good clinical and manufacturing practices.

All parties described the meeting as excellent and fruitful, the Business Group of the Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries of Cuba (BioCubaFarma) said on its Twitter account.

On the other hand, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) recognized Cuba's leadership in the production of vaccines against the disease in our region.

The report 'COVID-19 and vaccination in Latin America and the Caribbean: challenges, need and opportunities' detailed that in August 2020 the Antillean country became the first in this area to receive authorization for clinical trials of a candidate vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19.

It was Soberana 01, which was joined by Mambisa, Abdala, Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus, the last three authorized for emergency use by the national regulatory entities.

UNESCO referred to Cuba's biotechnology industry, made up of more than 30 research institutes and BioCubaFarma manufacturing companies, in addition to 2,438 patents registered outside our territory.

To these we can add its products such as vaccines, medicines and medical equipment, registered and sold in more than 50 nations.

According to the international organization, Cuba, Mexico and Brazil are among the top 20 vaccine manufacturing countries in the world. (Source: Prensa Latina).