The Department of Health (DOH) will investigate the alleged illegal vaccination of Columnist and Special Envoy to China Ramon Tulfo after admitting that he has received Sinopharm vaccine despite it being unauthorized in the Philippines.
Under Republic Act No. 9711, the manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of unauthorized health products are prohibited.
However, with the emergency use authorization (EUA), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the use of the vaccine against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) provided that it is safe. To date, only the vaccines of Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinovac have been granted an EUA in the country.
“As to those people who are using the vaccines without EUA and also suppliers supplying vaccines without EUA, ito po ay iligal at maaari po kayo ma-sanction at mabigyan ng penalties because of this (This is illegal and you can be sanctioned and penalized because of this),” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire pointed out.
Tulfo responded that he is open to investigation, “Ang tagal naman niyan. Dapat noon pa ‘yan inimbestigahan. Wala naman silang ginagawa. Mabuti nga inihayag ko na para malaman ng taumbayan kung gaano ka-effective ‘yung Sinopharm vaccine (It’s taking too slow. It should have been investigated way back. They are not doing anything. It’s good that I have announced [the matter] so that the public will know how effective the Sinopharm vaccine is).”
Tulfo also admitted that he is applying as the local distributor of the Sinopharm vaccine in the Philippines. Once the application of the local company is approved, he claims he will be prioritized.
He also revealed that he was vaccinated along with other government officials. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque responded that they will “leave it to the Ombudsman”. Report from Mark Fetalco
