The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) was reported as saying yesterday that Putrajaya had paid vaccine manufacturer Sinovac Biotech Ltd 16.78% to 18.12% higher than the price originally agreed upon for 2.4 million doses delivered in May and July due to delays on Pharmaniaga’s end.

The government’s rollout used a combination of bottled vaccines bought directly from Sinovac, as well as vaccines that were delivered as raw material to Pharmaniaga and vialed locally.

In a statement today, the pharmaceutical company said it completed its contractual delivery of 12 million doses four months ahead of schedule.

Pharmaniaga said the government paid a slightly higher price for additional orders of finished Sinovac vaccine doses from China to accelerate the completion of the national immunisation programme.

“Pharmaniaga has been consistent with its commitment to the government in meeting the delivery of Sinovac fill-and-finish vaccine and went beyond to support the Ministry of Health,” it added.

It said the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency were maintained in all its business dealings.