The move is a direct fallout of the demand shown for the product, especially by pediatricians, given that HBPCL's vaccine can be administered to adults as well as infants. Currently, the imported typhoid vaccines besides being more expensive cannot be given to children below two years of age.

HBPCL managing director, PD Karandikar, in a faxed response to The Financial Express said that these typhoid vaccines are expected to be in the market within the next three or four months. " This period is required for renewing the licence and processing the vaccine. We would review the situation after assessing the response and demand for about a year or so, " he said.

HBPCL had earlier discontinued the production of the typhoid vaccine following a general consensus arrived at by the NationalVaccine Board (NVB), Government of India, in 1995-96. "The manufacture of the cholera and typhoid vaccines by the old conventional methods was discussed in the NVB and a general consensus was arrived at that these vaccines were not very effective," Karandikar said.

Subsequently, the manufacturers of these vaccines in all the states were advised to discontinue production by the old conventional methods. Based on this suggestion, HBPCL had discontinued production of the typhoid vaccine for the last two years.

Karandikar said that the company then focused on production of other vaccines for diptheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP), which are part of the National Immunisation Programme (NIP) and purchased in large quantities by the central and state governments. The typhoid vaccine was, however, not part of the NIP, though it was periodically being bought by some public hospitals and consumers in general.

Priced at Rs 9.40 per vial of 5 ml (plus local taxes) in 1996, HBPCL's annual supply has been in theregion of around five lakh doses. In 1996, these supplies were lower at 3.5 lakh doses. The company's vaccine was being produced at its Parel facility in Mumbai.

The price factor, industry experts say, is significant given that the oral and injectible typhoid vaccines currently available in the market cost approximately Rs 165 and Rs 238 respectively, keeping it outside the reach of several consumers.

In fact, the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) had reportedly expressed concern over the non-availability of the cheaper typhoid vaccine and alleges that the phase out may be partly due to the apparently prejudiced studies by multinational drug firms.

Karandikar said that the typhoid vaccines currently available in the market use sophisticated and costly technologies. "These imported vaccines are supposed to give higher and lasting immunity, but cannot be given to children below two years, as they are not effective in that age group, " he said.

He, however, added that HBPL's typhoid vaccine, preparedby the conventional methods, has been "good" and "effective within its limitations of the duration and the level of immunity". More importantly, these vaccines can be given to adults as well as infants.