The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assured the public that there are enough supplies of medical grade oxygen and antiviral drugs used for COVID-19 treatment.
During President Rodrigo Duterte’s public address on Monday (Sept. 21), FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said it has approved generic counterparts of anti-inflammatory drugs tocilizumab and baricitinib.
“Mayroon na po tayo ngayong na-approve na mga generic na counterparts po nitong mga gamot na ‘to para po mas marami na ang ma-import dito sa atin and at the same time, nakapag-invite pa po tayo ng ibang mga applicants,” Domingo said.
He also assured that the FDA is in coordination with manufacturers to expedite and regulate the supply of oxygen tanks in the country.
“Fortunately hindi naman po tayo umabot sa critical point na talagang nag-aagawan ng oxygen. Pero para rin po sigurado lang tayo sa supply, ine-expedite natin ngayon ‘yung approval, tinutulungan po natin ‘yung mga oxygen plants para makapag-manufacture nang mas marami,” Domingo said.
Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) said the local manufacturer of tocilizumab announced a shortage of supply until December this year.
According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, the DOH is in coordination with the private sector in sourcing out alternative drugs from different countries.
READ MORE: DOH faces supply shortage of therapeutic drug tocilizumab
– Report from Mark Fetalco / CF – jlo
