Myanmar is making technical cooperation with Brazil in the anti-venom research and production, according to Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein).

Currently, Ministry of Industry is producing anti-venom while Ministry of Health and Sports is conducting the research on the production of anti-venom.

“Viper bites account for about 90 per cent of snake bites in Myanmar, cobra bites, for six per cent, and other snake bites for the rest. The Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein) is producing most of anti-venom for the viper snake bite patients and 10 per cent for cobra bite patients,” said an official of Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein).

In 2017-2018 fiscal year, Myanmar exported 500 freeze-dried snake anti-venom vials at a price of 22 USD per vial— 300 vials to Cambodia and 200 vials to Laos. Plans are under way to export about 5,000 anti-venom vials in 2018-2019 FY.

The Pharmaceutical Factory (Insein) under the Ministry of Industry plans to increase the anti-venom production to 100,000 as from this year.

The rural farmers are in danger of snake bites. In addition to the anti-venom, the ministry produces freeze-dried anti-venom which can be kept at the normal room temperature, for remote and rural areas.

On May 20, 2016, the new building was opened to produce freeze-dried anti-venom.