ARTA seeks lifestyle check on FDA officials over inaction on drug applications

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is seeking lifestyle checks on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials and employees who are being investigated for the alleged inaction on over 600 drug applications, some of which have been pending for over six years.

During state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing, ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica said that the anti-red tape body will request the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) to conduct lifestyle checks on FDA officials and staff.

“Kasi kung may red tape na ganyan hindi nalalayo na may korapsyon,” Belgica said.

(If there is that much red tape there might be corruption.)

On Tuesday, ARTA directed FDA Center for Drug Regulation and Research (CDRR) Director IV Jesusa Cirunay to explain why administrative or criminal cases should not be filed against her.

The show-cause order stemmed from at least 23 affidavits of several pharmaceutical companies which detailed the supposed delays by the FDA-CDRR on their applications which were filed as far back as 2014.

Belgica said that the 600 pending applications contained in the affidavits are simple applications that are actually for automatic renewal and the products involved have been in circulation and some are low to no risk for the public.

The ARTA chief said the request for a lifestyle check of FDA personnel is not only for Cirunay but will also cover all those involved.

FDA Director-General Eric Domingo, meanwhile, explained that the retirement and resignation of FDA personnel may have caused delays in approving over 600 drug applications in the past six years.  — DVM, GMA News