PNP working with FDA to go after unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines

The Philippine National Police is coordinating with the Food and Drug Administration as regards the proliferation of unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines in the Philippines, Police General Debold Sinas said Monday.

At a press briefing, Sinas said personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Anti-Cybercrime Group would meet with FDA officials regarding the matter.

"Actually nakausap ko na 'yung sa FDA 'yung bagong director general ng FDA at nag usap na kami diyan na they will meet again with our people lalo na sa CIDG at sa ACG kasi 'yun din 'yung inaalala nila kasabay din sa pag-alala namin na because 'yung sinasabing mga vaccines baka mamaya 'yung mga fake vaccines ay titindi po," Sinas explained.

"Kapag mga ganoong aspeto, we have to coordinate first with the FDA kung licensed. Pangalawa of course the DOH (Department of Health) who has more expertise po diyan," he added.

The DOH has said it would look into the alleged vaccination of many individuals, including the military, using unauthorized vaccines.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the FDA has not authorized any COVID-19 vaccine yet.

So far,  only the Pfizer-BioNTech had applied for an emergency use authorization for its vaccine as disclosed by presidential spokesman Harry Roque.

Thee Armed Foces of the Philippines said that members of the Presidential Security Group were among the first to be inoculated against COVID-19.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said some Cabinet officials had also been given the vaccine.

He claimed that the vaccines used had already been given emergency use authorization by the FDA, a claim that has since been refuted by the agency. -NB, GMA News

-NB, GMA News