By Myris Lee
Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion believes that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will grant AstraZeneca a certificate of product registration (CPR) for its vaccine once it submits an application.
During the June 17 Laging Handa briefing, Conception said the FDA has no reason to reject the CPR application of AstraZeneca because millions of Filipinos had been inoculated with the vaccine, and that experts have already proven its effectiveness against COVID-19.
Once the CPR of AstraZeneca is approved, the vaccine will be made available commercially.
“The FDA will definitely approve it kasi we’ve inoculated millions of people already with AstraZeneca. And likewise with Moderna and Pfizer, they’ve already been given to our people, so I don’t see any reason why the CPRs will not be approved,” he said.
He also added that CPR approval would lessen the government’s burden in purchasing the vaccines.
“Ang pinakamalaking benefit na the burden of purchasing the vaccines will not be only with the government but will be transferred to the citizens ]themselves] who can afford,” he said, amid talks on lifting the state of public health emergency which could limit the government’s role to buy vaccines for all.
“Now, iyong mga citizen natin na hindi kayang bumili ng bakuna, maybe that’s where the government can continue its vaccination program. So, it will be parang a shared responsibility between the private sector, the citizens and the government ‘no,” he added. – ag
