THE National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has approved a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) vaccine to be undertaken by the Centre for Health Research in Zambia (CFHRZ).
The NBA Board approved the vaccine trial permit application for CFHRZ at an extraordinary meeting, held in Lusaka.
In a statement availed to ZANIS, NBA Chief Executive Officer Lackson Tonga, says the permit granted to CFHRZ is for conducting research trials in Zambia and is valid for three years, adding that the experimental medicine vaccine trial will be administered to people living with HIV.
Mr Tonga explained that the Scientific Advisory Committee of NBA conducted a risk assessment of the vaccine and concluded that the vaccine poses low risks to human health and animals.
“The Scientific Advisory Committee of the NBA conducted a risk assessment and concluded that the vaccine poses low risks to human health, animals and the environment. The NBA will also monitor the research trial,’’ he said.
Mr Tonga further explained that NBA issued 66 non-genetically modified organism certificates to companies exporting various grain commodities.
He indicated that NBA also intensified on the spot checks throughout the country and collected 152 samples for agriculture produce and products for testing and all were non-GMO.
He indicated that the authority also conducted 20 surveillances of which compliance levels were at 80 percent, adding that the authority in its quest to improve compliance services and enhance client service, finalized some guidelines.
“We finalized the guidelines on genome editing, stacked genes as well as compliance and enforcement. These will help us enhance regulating activities with GMO and their products,” stated Mr Tonga.
He further disclosed that NBA issued 39 permits for products which may contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the year 2024 and of these, seven were for imports, while the rest were for placing GMO products on the market.
Mr Tonga explained that about 190,237 metric tons of mealie meal which may contain GMOs transited Zambia in 2024, mostly, to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He indicated that in the same period, NBA granted 52 Transit Permits compared to 64 in 2023.
‘’We saw a decrease in the number of new permits granted last year. This could be due to the companies granted import permits the previous year, coming through to only renew permits for placing on the markets. Import permits are valid for five years while the placing on the market is renewed every six months,’’ explained Mr Tonga.
