MALAYSIA CAN SAVE MILLIONS BY PRODUCING ANIMAL VACCINES

IPOH (Malaysia), March 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can save millions of
ringgit annually if the Veterinary Research Institute (VRI) is used to produce
animal
vaccines, Veterinary Services Department director-general Dr Abd Aziz
Jamaluddin said.

He however said this could only happen if the old equipment (1960s) being
used in laboratories were replaced with new ones as VRI was a pioneer in the
production of animal vaccines in the country.

"Malaysia imports vaccines and pharmaceuticals worth RM650 million (US$192
million) annually while our researchers are capable of producing them locally.

"We can't produce the animal vaccines due to lack of equipment," he said
after Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Deputy Minister Johari Baharum
visited VRI here Monday.

Dr Aziz said he would discuss with the ministry so that VRI could produce at
least 30 percent of vaccines as they would not only be cheaper but also more
effective than imported ones.

Meanwhile, Johari said he would try to find a way to replace the old
equipment although it would prove costly.

He would also propose a more attractive salary scheme for researchers to
breathe new life into VRI, the country's only veterinary research institute.
-- BERNAMA