As 'philanthropic gesture' Covishield price reduced from Rs 400-Rs 300 for states: Adar Poonawalla

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Serum Institute of India's CEO, Adar Poonawalla, on Wednesday, announced that Covishield's price for states will be slashed from Rs 400 to Rs 300 as a philanthropic gesture.

Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla said, "As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.300 per dose, effective immediately; this will save thousands of crores of state funds going forward. This will enable more vaccinations and save countless lives."

Covishield's price for private hospitals remains at Rs 600 per dose.

This follows widespread criticism of its pricing policy as it had sold the initial doses of Covishield to the central government at Rs 150 per dose.

Both Bharat Biotech and Serum's vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.