India’s Bharat Biotech ends controversial Covaxin deal with Brazilian partner Precisa

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Negotiations over the health ministry’s purchase of Covaxin became a target of Brazilian investigative committee Covid CPI in the Senate over suspected irregularities, prompting the Health Ministry to suspend the contract to buy the vaccine.

Indian lab Bharat Biotech, the maker of Covaxin, announced Friday, July 23, the immediate termination of the memorandum of understanding signed with Brazilian pharmaceutical company Precisa Medicamentos to commercialize the vaccine in Brazil.

In a statement, the Indian company said that despite the end of the agreement, it would continue to work with the national health regulator (ANVISA) to get the vaccine approved in Brazil.

The negotiations for the purchase of Covaxin by the Ministry of Health were questioned by the Covid CPI. Irregularities are suspected regarding the price of the vaccine. The Ministry has subsequently suspended the agreement to purchase the vaccine.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has been caught in the crossfire over the deal. The Federal Police opened an investigation against the president.

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