The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday (Sept. 4) said the local manufacturer of anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab, which is used to treat COVID-19 patients, announced a shortage of supply until December this year.
In a Laging Handa public briefing, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said it is facing challenges in sourcing tocilizumab, but the Health department is already seeking alternative and investigational drugs to treat COVID-19 patients.
“Itong mga investigational drugs na ito ay ating kinakalap sa iba’t-ibang sources. Mayroon ngayong available, iyong baricitinib na ginagamit din po ng ating mga ospital – may CPR [certificate of product registration] ito at ito ay nagagamit na ng ibang mga facilities natin,” Vergeire said.
According to Vergeire, the DOH is in coordination with the private sector in sourcing out the alternative drugs from different countries.
“Mayroon din tayong pakikipag-usap sa private sector, tinutulungan nila tayo makapag-source out ng mga gamot na ito sa ibang bansa naman. So hopefully, in the coming weeks, matutulungan tayo ng private sector for these supplies,” Vergeire said.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Saturday said he has directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the illegal online sale of tocilizumab.
Tocilizumab has a suggested retail price (SRP) from P13,000 to P25,000 per vial, depending on the milligram.
“Mayroon tayong sanctions for those who are going to violate our [SRPs]. Nag-re-range from one to 10 years imprisonment and P5,000 up to P1 million na fine based on the discretion of the court,” Vergeire said. – Report from Louisa Erispe / CF -rir
