Clinical trials focused on fighting emerging variants of the COVID-19 virus might start soon, Malacañang announced on Saturday (Sept. 4).
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), subject to the considerations of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approved the recommendation for sponsors or trialists.
The IATF plans to shift its focus towards people of different age groups and people with comorbidities, or the immunocompromised, to be more inclusive in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.
The recommendation to prioritize Phase three clinical trials that will focus on the pediatric age group of six months to 12 years old was approved by the IATF last Sept.4.
The Phase three clinical trials will also include the elderly (more than 60 years old), pregnant mothers, patients with immunodeficiency, patients with autoimmune diseases, patients with renal diseases, and patients with chronic respiratory diseases. – PG – bny