The regulator in India requested additional info from Pfizer. They either could not or would not provide it. Therefore Pfizer withdrew the application they had made in December. At the same time the US and Canada authorized this experimental vaccine for use on the guinea pigs of their respective nations.
Let's read together: Pfizer withdraws application for emergency use authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine in India
"In a statement, Pfizer said it had decided to withdraw the application after a meeting with the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on 3 Feb, in which the regulator stated that there may be need for 'additional information'
Pharma major Pfizer on Friday said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in India.
Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical firm to seek an emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.
"In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time," a company spokesperson said in a statement."
Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of the additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw it's application at this time.
So couldn't or wouldn't provide the required information?
"Pfizer will continue to engage with the authority and resubmit its approval request with additional information as it becomes available in the near future, the statement said.
"Pfizer remains committed to making its vaccine available for use by the Government in India and to pursuing the requisite pathway for emergency use authorisation that enables the availability of this vaccine for any future deployment," the spokesperson said.
Pfizer in its application submitted to the drug regulator in December 2020, had sought permission to import the vaccine for sale and distribution in India,besides waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisionsunder the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, official sources had said."
Waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with special provisions under and existing, new drugs and clinical trial rules- so Pfizer wanted to get around these provisions? Hence a waiver?
That news certainly gets one thinking.....