A Sarajevo-based pharmaceutical company has started negotiations with producers of Covid-19 vaccines and their authorised representatives, learns N1.

‘Sarajevofarm’ management confirmed that they are currently in talks about AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine, which was registered and approved in the European Union, as well as AstraZeneca/Covishield vaccine, produced by Serum Institute of India – aimed for the non-EU markets.

The company said it was looking into the files for registration and awaiting annexes in order to complete the documentation and possibly submit for registration with the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Given the regulations and procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the medicines that have no permission to be put on the market – according to which the import of those medicines/vaccines is allowed only in specific quantities and based on contracts issued by healthcare institutions, a self-initiative purchase by pharmaceutical companies was not possible, the company explained.

“For that reason and based on instructions we received from producers/authorised representatives who keep a strict record of the quantities delivered in every single country, we addressed competent institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina to authorise all interested pharmaceutical companies in a written form allowing them to start talks regarding the purchase of vaccines for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (one of two Bosnia's semi-autonomous regions,” said ‘Sarajevofarm’.

Based on that authorisation, the company added, they are now expecting the official offer and required documentation for the vaccine import.

“We hope that in the following days we will have final confirmation for the quantities and delivery deadline for the territory of the FBiH. This does not mean we are sure we will secure necessary quantities but we are doing everything in our power to sign a contract and implement it.”