5 potential COVID-19 vaccine makers want clinical trials in Philippines —FDA

The manufacturers of at least five potential COVID-19 vaccine products have expressed interest to conduct clinical trials in the Philippines, according to the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

At a public briefing on Thursday, FDA Director General and Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo noted the advantage of conducting clinical trials in the Philippines.

“Doon sa pag-uulat sa meeting namin kanina with the Department of Science and Technology, medyo mga lima na yata ‘yung nag-signify ng intention maggawa ng clinical trial dito sa atin,” Domingo said.

“Yung mga magki-clinical trial dito parang may kaunti silang bentahe dahil makikita talaga natin kung ano ang magiging epekto ng bakunang ito sa ating kinalalagaysan at sa mga Pilipino mismo,” he added.

According to Domingo, one of these potential vaccines, Sinovac, has already been cleared by the vaccine expert panel of the Department of Science and Technology, and is currently under the evaluation of the FDA.

“May isa po na actually na-endorse na ng vaccine expert panel ng DOST sa FDA. ito po 'yung sa Sinovac,” Domingo said.

“Ito ay ini-evaluate natin ngayon at mukhang kaunting panahon na lang naman siguro at may ibang requirement na lang ang hinihingi natin para ma-approve natin ang clinical trial na 'to,” he added.

In October, the DOST said the Sputnik V, Janssen, Sinovac, and COVAX-19 have expressed intent to undergo clinical trials in the Philippines.

Aside from these, Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Dr. Jaime Montoya noted that more vaccines will have their clinical trials in the country under the World Health Organization Solidarity Trial. -MDM, GMA News