The EDCD said that its stock of anti-venom is depleting fast and no Indian pharmaceuticals companies have shown interest in supplying the vaccines.
The anti-venoms produced in third countries is of no use in case of snake bite victims in Nepal as poisonous snakes found in other countries are different from the ones found in Nepal and India. That is why the EDCD has the compulsion to buy vaccines from India. [break]
"We have decided to request the MoFA to talk with the Indian government about the urgency of the vaccine," Dr GD Thakur, director of the EDCD, said. The department has already published tender notice for supplying anti-venom twice, but no manufacturer has show interest.
The office said that it has failed to deliver sufficient quantity of vials as demanded by hospitals and regional stores because its stock of the vaccine has been declining.
Incidents of snake bites have been soaring in the Tarai region in recent times. Monsoon and post monsoon are the peak seasons in which a lot of people get bitten by deadly snakes.
As per the nature of the case, a patient needs up to 30 vials of vaccine for treatment. Every year dozens of people across the country die due to snake bite. The EDCD said that mostly the poor people, who work in the field and live in shacks, become victims of snakes bite.
According to Dr Thakur, the Indian companies seemed reluctant to supply the vaccines as they have not been producing sufficient vials.
Due to the protest of animal rights activists, the companies have not been able to produce sufficient amount. The manufacturers inject venom into animals like horse, sheep or goat to develop antibodies that are later extracted from animal blood to make anti-venom.
"A bulk of what they produce is bought by the Indian Army," he said, adding, "They have been unable to produce enough for their own country."
The office used to purchase essential medicines, including anti-venom before the start of a new fiscal year. But last year due to budget crunch, the office failed to procure the vaccines. Each year, the EDCD needs around 40,000 vials of anti-venom.
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