Breaking: Vaccine Dispute Erupts as Argentina Opens Door to Imports
A longstanding feud in Argentina’s vitally important vaccine market has erupted anew, with acrimonious accusations between labs as the country begins allowing imports. The row, simmering since the start of 2024, intensified following Argentina’s first vaccine shipment from Brazil.
Initially, local producers protested steep price hikes, with Argentine ranchers saying they paid up to $2 per dose, more than double the cost in neighboring countries. This, despite only three labs serving the market, with one dominant player that rolled back the increase following pressure.
Calls to import cheaper vaccines gained traction, but longstanding regulations required vaccines to contain four virus strains, while foreign alternatives only offer two. The government intervened, amending the requirement in May and allowing for bi- or trivalent vaccines.
Key players include Biogénesis Bagó and CDV, established providers, and Tecnovax, the upstart seeking to import vaccines. Tecnovax’s president, Diego La Torre, has been a vocal critic of the industry’s "monopolistic" tendencies.
After months of relative calm, the dispute reignited last month. The Argentine Biotech Chamber’s disciplinary committee expelled Tecnovax, accusing it of spreading false information and attacking rivals without cause. Tecnovax hit back, accusing the chamber’s president, Sebastián Bagó, of wielding undue influence.
Tensions escalated further when Tecnovax publicly announced the arrival of its first vaccine shipment from Brazil on December 18. CDV, a rival lab, swiftly hit back, claiming the imported vaccines posed health risks and doubted Tecnovax’s commercial integrity.
Friday morning saw Tecnovax publish La Torre’s resignation letter from the biotech chamber, dated December 17.
Source: TODO AGRO
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