The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) says Ghana could start importing unpackaged COVID-19 vaccines in bulk for local companies to fill into vials.

Delese Mimi Darko, the FDA Chief Executive Officer said this is likely to happen within six months.

She said some indigenous companies are in the processes of getting the needed documentation and clearance to engage in the process.

President Akufo-Addo has indicated Ghana’s willingness to begin manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines.

The government has established a committee to formulate a concrete plan for vaccine development and manufacturing in Ghana.

Though Ghana may not be well-placed to commence research and clinical trials in the short term, she said the filling of vials with the vaccine is more attainable currently.

“We may not be at that end of the entire drug development lifecycle but at least we can start with the filling,” Mrs. Darko said to Citi News.

“There is one company that probably in the next six months, could start filling vaccines into vials and labelling them. You would get the bulk from one of these manufacturers and then complete it, do the testing and everything and then send the vaccine out,” she explained further.

According to her, Ghana could have as many as three companies engaged in the filling process.

“We’ve also found another company that is on the way there and there is the third that is about to start… We will be well-positioned to start filling and finishing vaccines in the next six months,” Mrs. Darko said.

Ghana began its coronavirus vaccination drive on March 2 with 600,000 AstraZeneca doses it received from the global COVAX vaccine-sharing facility.