How did vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech (BB) get an overnight approval for its Covid-19 vaccine (pictured) without completing the third phase of the trials? The Indian Express columnist Coomi Kapoor narrates the story in her January 17, 2021 column "Inside track,” titled "PMO for patch-up.”
"The rivalry between (Dr Cyrus Poonawalla founded) Serum Institute of India and BB became open knowledge after the heads of both took veiled digs at each other publicly. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) immediately intervened, directing the two vaccine manufacturers to issue a joint letter that they were coordinating in the fight against the pandemic.”......