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Ona: Vaccine DOH bought cheaper than what WHO ordered


Health Secretary Enrique Ona on Wednesday denied any wrongdoing in connection with the Department of Health's controversial procurement of P833.6 million worth of anti-pneumonia vaccines two years ago. 
 
In an interview with GMA News TV's "Balitanghali," Ona said the DOH bought doses of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine 10 (PCV-10) instead of PCV-13 because a dose of the former was almost a dollar cheaper than that of the latter.

"In 2012, PCV-10 costs $15.40 per unit while PCV-13 costs $16.34 per unit, which is almost $1.00 higher," Ona said.

Justice Secretary Leila De Lima on Monday said that the National Bureau of Investigation had been discreetly investigating since June the questionable purchase that allegedly happened with Ona's knowledge and that of Health Assistant Secretary and chief epidemiologist Dr. Eric Tayag.
 
De Lima said the DOH opted to buy PCV-10 vaccines instead of PCV 13 doses that the World Health Organization recommended as more cost-effective.
 
"As Secretary of Health, I did what I believed was best during the year 2012, when it was not yet clear which product was superior," Ona said.

He denied favoring a private company in the purchase of the vaccines.
 
"I categorically deny any wrongdoing with the PCV-10 vaccine procurement in 2012…. I have not talked to Glaxo Company regarding their PCV-10 product," Ona said.
 
The Health Department on Tuesday announced that it has formed a committee to do an internal probe on the procurement. 
 
The DOH panel is expected to finish its own probe before the end of Ona's leave on November 30. 
 
Its report will subsequently be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III.  —Rouchelle Dinglasan/NB, GMA News
 
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