Turkey: An Unexpected Power in the Vaccine Industry
Beliz Berge, Investigative Journalist
November 12, 2022
One set of test tubes Birgi Mefar uses for Pfizer products costs as much as a Lamborghini.
As one of Turkey's most significant vaccine production and research companies, Birgi Mefar Group provides contract manufacturing for sterile injectables.
Birgi Mefar was the first production center in the world for companies like Pfizer and Sanofi, who outsource their vaccine production and testing.
The uncertainty of the human body's reaction to a live or dead protein — which helps to create a long-lasting immune response — is why numerous tests must be conducted before a vaccination becomes available. Testing is crucial for public health, and improper testing risks the health of the next five to six generations.
Turkey has been developing vaccines for longer than most might guess — since the 1700s. The country started producing chickenpox and rabies vaccines in the early 1900s, after Turkish researchers received medical training in Europe.
In 1938, Turkey exported cholera vaccines to China, having already developed an efficient vaccine production line. In the last 40 years, Turkey's expansion to over 60 high-tech production centers has allowed the country to produce vaccines for numerous other diseases domestically.
In 2007, the domestic vaccine and sterile medicine production game changed for the better; the government required companies to produce free vaccination programs. This development activated technology and knowledge transfer to Turkey.
Turkish facilities have produced more than 200 million vaccine doses in the last ten years. Birgi Mefar Group facilities contributed to 80% of these doses, according to Bahadır Özazar, Chief Strategy Officer.
Özazar said Birgi Mefar's strategy team has a critical role in preparing the company for predictable developments in the market, such as the annual rate of change of Pfizer drugs. If unpredictable events — like a global pandemic — arise, Özazar said contingency plans must be in place.
The COVID-19 pandemic tested Birgi Mefar's capabilities as the company worked through a rapid uptick in demand for vaccines. However, prior investments quickly brought them up to speed with the ever-growing demand.
There are two critical components within the framework of a vaccine company's plan, according to Özazar. Adequate production capacity is essential to prevent poor product quality, shortages, and interruptions in vaccine delivery. Sufficient human resources for vaccine development and research are equally vital.
For the continuity of public health, it is critical always to have emergency and contingency plans for unexpected situations such as production and human resource disruptions.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Birgi Mefar completed the technology transfer process of the vaccines in around one to two months and produced the first local COVID-19 vaccine in Turkey. It was necessary to prioritize the production of not only vaccines but also vital products –– paracetamol, vitamins, and hospital infection drugs –– for intensive care patients, according to Özazar.
"During the peak periods of the pandemic, uninterrupted production was carried out without disturbing the business continuity," Özazar said.
Turkey’s government labeled the COVID-19 pandemic as a global public health crisis, highlighting the significance of the health precautions and reiterating the importance of vaccines against this novel virus.
Near the end of 2020, Turkey made a deal with China to receive 50 million doses of the Sinovac vaccine from Russia
Skepticism of the COVID-19 vaccines grew as Turkey purchased Sinopharm vaccines from China – despite its role in starting the immunization process for Turkey's population.
Turkey's vaccine choice spiked the attention of other European countries. Turkey’s neighbouring countries backed the value and validity of the Chinese vaccine, resulting in positive propaganda for China. It did not encourage other countries to take on the vaccine, but boosted China’s image.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Turkish government supported universities for vaccine research. In 2021, Turkey developed and launched its own inactivated COVID-19 vaccine called Turkovac through university-government collaborations, according to Özazar.
Turkish pharmaceutical companies must actively allocate resources toward vaccine development –– they have the economic power to do so. Vaccines have revolutionized the ability to improve human health with the control and near-elimination of life threatening diseases. The development of vaccines must persist to combat new diseases that arise.