A controversy erupted in Sri Lanka over the alleged differential pricing of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines that the Sri Lankan government has been procuring from China, with authorities facing the allegation of signing the deal at a relatively higher price. 

Sri Lanka has placed an order of 20 million Sinopharm vaccines at $15 per dose. However, some reports alleged that Bangladesh procured the same vaccine at $10 per dose. 

Responding to reports, Channa Jayasuma, the Sri Lankan Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, said there was no such agreement to give the vaccine at $10 for Bangladesh. He further added Bangladesh is still negotiating the agreement with China. 

Meanwhile, Asela Gunawardena, the director-general of health services in Sri Lanka, clarified that they got the vaccine at the minimum cost. The price of the vaccine defers from $18-$40 per dose owning to various factors. 

The Chinese embassy in Colombo also responded to the allegation. “We checked with the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka as well as #Sinopharm group. Bangladesh Health Minister has clarified last week that their procurement agreement including pricing is not finalized yet. The fake news on social media has already disturbed their ongoing negotiation,” the embassy tweeted. 

Also, media reports in Bangladesh say that Sinopharm is seeking a non-disclosure agreement with the government of Bangladesh over the pricing of vaccines. 

(SAM)