Intensify crackdown on illegal Covid-19 vaccines sold online, solon urges

MANILA, Philippines — A lawmaker on Monday urged law enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on unregistered Covid-19 vaccines peddled online.

Deputy Speaker for Trade and Industry and Valenzuela City Rep. Wes Gatchalian said there might be an influx of unscrupulous individuals selling unregistered or fake vaccines especially with the expected arrival of the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines in the country this month.

“We call on all cybercrime agencies of the government to be on the lookout for illegal and unregistered COVID-19 vaccines and pool their resources to apprehend opportunists who prey on the public,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian said medicines that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may put the health of the public at risk.

Valenzuela City Rep. Wes Gatchalian

“I urge our kababayans to report any suspicious claims or advertisement claiming to be a vaccine for Covid-19… Although these are indeed trying times, it is the height of insensitivity to take advantage of the need of our public,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian likewise renewed his call for the immediate passage of the Internet Transactions Act (ITA), which he said would be “an effective deterrent for these scammers who continue to utilize the internet and other online facilities for their nefarious activities.”

The House of Representatives has approved the said measure but its counterpart bill is still pending in the Senate.

FDA has previously warned the public against vaccines sold locally or online claiming to be safe and effective in preventing Covid-19.

Only Pfizer and AstraZeneca have so far secured an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA.

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