Government’s signing of a non-disclosure agreement with China’s Sinopharm does not mean the country is bound to purchase Covid-19 vaccines from the company.

The clarification comes from Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh, as he responded to criticism from Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar in the ongoing row surrounding Trinidad and Tobago’s procurement for vaccines. 

“The non-disclosure agreement is a normal part of the procedure to facilitate negotiations and the placement of an indicative order of a COVID-19 vaccine, once the vaccine receives WHO approval,” Minister Deyalsingh said in a statement on Saturday.

“The Ministry of Health has indicated publicly and transparently when it has signed such NDAs in the past. The Ministry of Health has signed non-disclosure agreements with Pfizer and with Sinopharm as part of the standard negotiating process. The signing of an NDA does not bind a country to purchase vaccines from the manufacturer.” he said. 

On Friday Persad-Bissessar questioned the signing of the NDA, suggesting the Dr. Keith Rowley led government had been dishonest an non-transparent in its vaccine procurement. 

“Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago have a right to know the details of any vaccine arrangement being made using taxpayer dollars. Why is there a need for secrecy with this procurement of vaccines from China? This is precisely the reason I am calling for a repeal of the gutted PNM- Procurement Amendment Act,” she said.