President Rodrigo Duterte has already approved “in principle” the emergency use authorization (EUA) for COVID-19 vaccines to expedite the approval processing in the country from six months to 21 days.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) previously emphasized the use of EUA. An executive order is set to be issued on this. An EUA is utilized in times of health emergency, if there is a serious illness that could cause a pandemic or epidemic, and if the product has been proven effective.
The FDA explained that priority sectors for the distribution of vaccines will not automatically be altered through an EUA. President Duterte has already emphasized that health workers, essential workers, and the “poorest of the poor” will be prioritized.
Among the vaccine developers which reported high efficacy rate of their products are Pfizer and Moderna which are expected to apply for an EUA with the US FDA next month. Once the application is approved, they can eventually apply to other countries like the Philippines.
Philippine FDA Director General Eric Domingo stressed that vaccine quality cannot be compromised despite the urgency.
Meanwhile, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported that Remdesivir trials are ongoing, following the latest advisory of the WHO to halt its utilization to treat COVID-19 patients. Remdesivir is part of the WHO solidarity trial where the Philippines is a participant.
As of November 20, there are 415,067 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country and 31,805 are considered active. – Report from Mark Fetalco
