Pharmaniaga Targets Nine National Immunisation Programme Vaccines for Local Production
Pharmaniaga Bhd is targeting local production of nine out of 11 vaccines under Malaysia’s National Immunisation Programme to reduce the country’s reliance on imported vaccines, with the company noting that localising production could cut costs by approximately 30 per cent, CodeBlue reported. The pharmaceutical company currently sources 100 per cent of its vaccines from overseas suppliers, leaving the national immunisation schedule vulnerable to potential supply chain disruptions, according to managing director Zulkifli Jafar.
On October 8, Pharmaniaga entered into a memorandum of collaboration with PT Bio Farma, Indonesia’s state-owned vaccine manufacturer, to foster the development of domestic manufacturing capacity. The partnership relies on technology transfer to expand Malaysia’s local production pipeline from an initial seven vaccines up to nine under the immunisation programme. PT Bio Farma brings more than a century of vaccine manufacturing experience to the agreement, with specific expertise in producing Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and polio vaccines.
Pharmaniaga Advances Pneumococcal Vaccine Launch to Late 2027
Pharmaniaga plans to launch its first locally manufactured vaccine, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, in the third or fourth quarter of 2027. This timeline accelerates the government’s previous 2028 target for the pneumococcal shot, which protects against pneumococcal disease. Zulkifli stated that the company has already submitted the necessary documentation for the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and awaits regulatory clearance from the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency.
Following that rollout, Pharmaniaga has scheduled two additional vaccine launches for 2028. These include the human papillomavirus vaccine and the EV71 vaccine, which targets the enterovirus strain responsible for hand, foot and mouth disease. A hexavalent vaccine combining protection against six diseases in a single injection is slated for introduction in 2029.
Scaling Production Across ASEAN Markets With PT Bio Farma
The collaboration with PT Bio Farma addresses distinct economic realities between Malaysia and Indonesia. Indonesia’s population of approximately 285 million provides the large-scale manufacturing demand necessary for economic viability, whereas Malaysia’s population of 34 million to 35 million makes bulk manufacturing domestically expensive. Zulkifli noted that Pharmaniaga will initially import and distribute finished vaccines supplied by Indonesia before transitioning to full domestic manufacturing.
The partnership also opens potential commercial pathways into wider ASEAN markets. Pharmaniaga intends to explore initial distribution for polio, followed by rabies and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccines. This domestic expansion marks a major operational shift for Pharmaniaga following its exit from Practice Note 17 financial distress status in March 2026, which stemmed from a RM552.3 million provision for slow-moving Covid-19 vaccine inventories recorded in February 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pharmaniaga’s Vaccine Production Push
Which diseases does the National Immunisation Programme currently protect against?
The National Immunisation Programme provides protection for children against 13 different diseases that can be prevented by vaccines, specifically tuberculosis, hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, pneumococcal disease, Japanese encephalitis, and human papillomavirus.
How much cost savings does Pharmaniaga expect from localising vaccine production?
Localising vaccine production could reduce procurement costs by approximately 30 per cent, potentially easing the financial burden on the government.
What caused Pharmaniaga’s previous financial distress status?
The pharmaceutical group was classified under Practice Note 17 status in February 2023 after recording a RM552.3 million provision for slow-moving Covid-19 vaccine inventories, before completing a financial regularisation plan in August 2025.
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