Taking a cue from other countries that have sought to hasten the availability of potential cures to the pandemic, President Duterte has allowed the director general of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.
The authority, contained in Executive Order 121, permits the use of COVID-19 medicines and vaccines pending approval by health authorities, provided that there is credible data suggesting that the drug or immunization can stop, diagnose or treat the virus.
National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. yesterday said COVID-19 vaccines might arrive in the Philippines as early as the first quarter of next year.
“We are still on track, considering that there is a possibility that our best-case scenario will be shifted to the first quarter. Our best-case scenario that we have presented is more or less May, but for now, if we will succeed in negotiating with two to three vaccines from different countries, we might be able to get it during the first quarter,” Galvez said at a televised press briefing.
He disclosed that the Philippines is also negotiating with Chinese firms Sinovac and Sinopharm for the possible purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, which may be available in the first quarter.
The government is also holding talks with US vaccine manufacturers Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and Novavax; the Serum Institute of India and United Kingdom’s AstraZeneca, according to Galvez.
“We are looking forward to having at least 10 to 15 or even 20 million vaccine (doses from) each of these vaccine makers,” he said.
This story is from the December 03, 2020 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 03, 2020 edition of The Philippine Star.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tigresses end Lady Spikers' reign
Santo Tomas showed reigning champion La Salle the exit door and roared its way to Last Dance.
Former PACC chief supports Cha-cha through convention
Former Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) chair Greco Belgica supports the proposal of Sen. Robinhood Padilla to amend the 1987 Constitution through a constitutional convention (con-con).
CA ruling stops imports of Bt talong, golden rice
The importation of regulated genetically modified organisms (GMO) except for Bt talong and golden rice would continue as they are not covered by the recent decision of the Court of Appeals, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Phl seeks ADB support on infra, digitalization
The Philippines is seeking strengthened support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for the country’s infrastructure push, both physical and digital, and in improving the capacities of small businesses.
Stocks to take cue from data releases
Investors will seek direction on upcoming economic data in a bid to get the stock market out of its recent slump.
Raw sugar output highest in 3 years
Local raw sugar production in the current crop year expanded to 1.86 million metric tons (MT), surpassing the previous crop year’s entire output, due to more sugarcane milled and better sweetener content.
Cool Smashers back in familiar spot - finale
one more time last night with a decisive 25-16, 25-21, 25-20 bashing of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to go straight to the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finals before a mammoth crowd of 17,834 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Suzuki, Cedo top Jr. World Golf qualifier
Shinichi Suzuki and Anya Cedo topped the premier 15-18 bracket in the recent qualifying tourney for the IMG Junior World Golf Championships set July 6-13 in various venues in San Diego, California.
Russia adds Zelensky to criminal 'wanted' list
Russia has added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to its list of wanted criminals, a move Kyiv dismissed as a sign of Moscow’s “desperation.”
Israelis demand hostage return
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Thousands of Israelis protested on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept a ceasefire agreement with the Islamist movement Hamas that would see the remaining Israeli hostages brought home from Gaza.
