MANILA, Philippines — The decision of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to give its full approval to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech will hasten the process of allowing its commercial use in the Philippines, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque explained that once Pfizer-BioNTech applies for full approval in the country, the process will be faster since it was already approved by a “stringent” regulator like the U.S. FDA.
“Bagamat kinakailangan pa rin bigyan ng commercial use approval ng Philippine FDA ang Pfizer, ito po ay mapapabilis dahil meron po tayong polisiya na ang Philippine FDA ay mas mabilis na aaprubahan for commercial use ang mga bakuna’t gamot na meron nang approval sa mga stringent na FDAs gaya po ng Estados Unidos,” Roque said in a press briefing.
(While it still needs the commercial use approval of the Philippine FDA, it will be hastened because the Philippine FDA’s policy is to quickly approve for commercial use the vaccines and medicines that already secured approval from stringent FDAs like the United States.)
“Kaunting panahon na lang po at mabibili na sa ating mga botika ang Pfizer kung ito po ang inyong preferred brand,” he added.
(Just wait for a while and we can already buy Pfizer in pharmacies if this is your preferred brand.)
As of date, the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine only has an emergency use authorization (EUA) in the Philippines.
A product with an EUA can only be purchased by the national government and cannot be sold commercially.