PH still in talks with COVID-19 vax makers, aims to package its own by 2022

MANILA, Philippines — While still in talks with international makers of COVID-19 vaccines, the government has started planning to have them packaged locally sometime in 2022, Director General Eric Domingo of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said during the pretaped weekly briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte that aired on Monday.

The national task force on vaccine self-sustainability, headed by the Department of Science and Technology, along with the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Health, is still in talks with vaccine makers abroad for a possible technology transfer.

“Our plan by next year is to have at least what we call ‘fill and finish’ — meaning, the bulk product will be brought here in the Philippines and then we will repackage that in small vials, ampules, or syringes,” he said.

Meanwhile, the production of other kinds of vaccines is slated to begin in 2023, the FDA chief said.

According to Domingo, the Philippines is talking with vaccine makers in Cuba, China, Russia, and some European countries.

The DTI is handling the partnership negotiations while the DOST is in charge of the development of factories and facilities, he added.

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