Efforts for Public Health: New snake anti-venom freeze dryer machine launched

The Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein) under the Ministry of Industry has now got a new Freeze Dryer Machine at the Snake Anti-Venom Production Center to meet the need of snake anti-venom in the country year after year.

Managing Director, Dr. Aung Khaing, said " The old snake anti-venom production machine which is still running right now can produce about 100,000 bottles. The Ministry of Health needs over 100,000 of anti-venom bottles per year and the new Freeze Dryer Machine can produce 240,000 anti-venom bottles per year."

At the new machine launching event, officials from Snake Anti-Venom Production Center explained the abilities of machine, usages and production processes.

Factory Manager, Myo Nanda, said " In Myanmar, most of the people live in rural areas and the patients with snakebite cases are mostly from there. So, we need more snake anti-venom. Previously, we produced anti-venom in liquid form and now, we can produce freeze-dried form. After 3 years, liquid form anti-venom is expired while freeze-dried form is after 5 years."

The Factory Manager added that cold storage rooms are needed to store liquid form snake anti-venom and freeze-dried form anti-venom can be stored at room temperature.