Sputnik V Philippine trials might be done 'independently' —DOST

The conduct of clinical trials in the Philippines for Sputnik V vaccine might fall under the "independent trials" category, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said on Saturday.

"Kung sakaling magta-trials sa Pilipinas ang Sputnik, ito po ay malamang under the 'independent trials' category kasi hindi ko po alam kung makakasama sila sa WHO (World Health Organization) solidarity trials, inaantay pa namin ang announcement ng WHO," dela Peña said at the Laging Handa public briefing.

Dela Peña said Philippines' vaccine panel expert head Dr. Nina Gloriani was designated by the WHO to the panel that will recommend the vaccines to be used for the solidarity trials.

The DOST Secretary said a confidentiality data agreement will be signed between Russia and the Philippines, wherein Philippine health and vaccine experts could analyze the results of the clinical trials in Russia.

"Kung ano ang kakalabasan ng ating pagsusuri ng ating panel isa-submit 'yan sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration) kasi ang ating FDA po ang magbibigay ng ating go-signal sa pag-conduct ng clinical trials," he said.

"Pinaghahandaan natin 'yung ating WHO solidarity trials at kung ang Sputnik V ay mapupunta sa category ng independent trials, sila naman po ang gagastos doon," Dela Peña added. —LBG, GMA News