Distributor says Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine 'safe, affordable'

Sinopharm’s distributor in the Philippines on Tuesday said the Chinese pharmaceutical firm's vaccine against COVID-19 is affordable, contrary to claims that it is pricey compared to other COVID-19 vaccines.

Interviewed on CNN Philippines, Mark Tolentino, president and CEO of MKG Universal Trading Corporation, said the price of the vaccine will be cheaper than others considering that Sinopharm is a state-owned company and the procurement will be between the Chinese and the Philippine governments.

“Hindi siya kasing mahal na pinagsasabi ng iba. Based on record, this is the most effective, pinaka-safe, and affordable na vaccine na available as of the present,” he said.

“In Malaysia, the price is $30 (more or less P1,500) per vial. This is the price in the Malaysian government. Iba naman ang Pilipinas kasi it will be subsidized by the Chinese government so possible it should be cheaper,” he added.

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. has earlier said that buying Sinopharm's COVID-19 vaccine will be "very problematic" due to its hefty price at $76.

But according to Tolentino, the Sinopharm vaccine in China are actually for free. For private hospitals, the vaccine is sold at 800 Yuan or around P5,800.

“Hindi natin puwedeng i-compare 'yan sa G2G (government-to-government transaction) natin because approximately kapag G2G it should be cheaper because may diplomatic relationship involved,” he said.

“Possible 'yan, i-subsidize po ng Chinese government,” he added.

Tolentino also pointed out that Sinopharm has a higher efficacy rate on Asian recipients at 79%, compared to other vaccines such as those from Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Moderna.

Tolentino said that Sinopharm has not applied yet for emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines because the government has not expressed its intention yet to negotiate with the Chinese government.

“Sinopharm is not yet applying for emergency use authorization because Sinopharm-China is waiting for the intent of the Philippines to whether or not Philippines would buy Sinopharm vaccines,” he said. —KBK, GMA News