FDA monitoring alleged sale of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines in Makati

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is monitoring a facility in Makati City where unregistered COVID-19 vaccine products are allegedly being sold, its director general Eric Domingo said.

In a Palace briefing on Tuesday, Domingo said FDA received a report that the facility was selling COVID-19 vaccines with advertisements written in Chinese.

“Pumunta 'yung ating mga ahente doon last week. At nangako naman 'yung administrator ng kanilang facility na hindi raw po totoo. In fact, naglabas din sila ng disclaimer,” Domingo said.

“We’re continuously monitoring at mukhang mapapadalas po ang ating inspection doon sa facility na 'yun to make sure na hindi po nagbebenta or nag-a-administer ng unregistered na bakuna,” he added.

Currently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that at least three potential vaccines against COVID-19 are set to have clinical trials in the Philippines.

Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya said the manufacturers have applied with the FDA.

Montoya identified the vaccine products as Sputnik V, Sinovac, and Janssen.

According to Domingo, manufacturers have two ways to have their product registered in the country.

“Unang-una, maaari po silang gumawa ng clinical trial dito at magpa-approve po dito sa atin," he said.

For vaccine products that were approved in another country, Domingo said manufacturers can already apply for registration in the Philippines.

“But they will have to prove that the vaccine will work in Filipinos and that it's going to be safe and stable,” he added. —KG, GMA News