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House panel chair: Dengvaxia report out before March 21; Sanofi ‘No. 1 accountable’


French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur is the "Number 1" entity that will be held accountable for the Dengvaxia mess, according to the chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

In an ANC interview, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said that aside from Sanofi, also to be held accountable would be officials from the previous administration involved in the suspended dengue immunization program.

All these recommendations would be contained, he said, in his panel's committee report, which they plan to release on or before March 21, before the House of Representatives goes into recess for the Holy Week.

Pimentel's panel terminated its hearing on the Dengvaxia controversy on Tuesday, which saw former President Benigno Aquino III defending the dengue vaccine program that was green-lit during his term.

"Of course, we will hold the people repsonsible for this fiasco. And the No.1 that will be held accountable will be Sanofi Pasteur," said Pimentel.

The lawmaker slammed the French company for committing dishonesty and misrepresentation when they failed to inform the previous administration about the risks of the vaccine.

"If they had informed the Philippine government beforehand, probably the former officials or former administration would not push through with the purchase of Dengvaxia," he said.

"So I believe Sanofi should be held accountable for this. And and of course, the past administration officials, they will also be held accountable," Pimentel added.

The congressman, however, clarified that his panel was "still collating the data" they have gathered from the five hearings on the issue. — MDM, GMA News

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