Russian Sputnik V vaccine maker has yet to apply for conduct of clinical trial in Philippines —DOH

The manufacturer of Russian vaccine Sputnik V—one of the possible vaccines against COVID-19—has not yet submitted an application for the conduct of its clinical trials in the Philippines, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Tuesday.

Vergeire was referring to manufacturer Gamaleya which already finished Phase 1 and 2 of its clinical trials on Sputnik V in Russia.

“They are yet to apply. We are in close coordination with them. They have provided us initial documents for evaluation of our vaccine panel experts, and we have asked for additional information for our vaccine panel experts to complete their evaluation,” she said in an ANC interview.

“Wala pa pong nag-uumpisang kahit anong clinical trial sa Pilipinas,” the Department of Health (DOH) official added.

Once the evaluation of the Philippine vaccine experts panel is done, Vergeire said such potential vaccine should be cleared by ethics review and ultimately, the Food and Drug Administration before the clinical trial can proceed. 

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization solidarity trial on possible vaccine against COVID-19 is expected to start by end of October, Vergeire said. 

The Department of Science and Technology earlier said participants in clinical trials of possible vaccines against COVID-19 will be compensated.

The DOH, on the other hand, has said that the government needs P12.9 billion budget for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines. 

The Duterte administration, however, only earmarked P2.5 billion for COVID-19 vaccine procurement under the proposed 2021 national budget. —KG, GMA News