FDA chief in favor of medical marijuana

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Samuel Zacate on Tuesday said he is in favor of legalizing medical marijuana in the Philippines.

During a Malacañang briefing, Zacate said that it was up to the legislative branch to decide if medical marijuana should be legalized, as he could not speak for them.

“For the record, the Food and Drug Administration, and me as director general, is very much open for the marijuana as long that it has been streamlined,” said Zacate.

“Filipinos must have a wide range of therapeutic indication or therapeutic drug of choice,” he added.

READ: DOH wants ‘best scientific evidence’ for medical marijuana

According to Zacate, medicine is an innovation, and it is difficult to dictate where it will go in the future.

READ: House joint committee approves medical marijuana bill

“Let’s take for example penicillin. It came out from fungi, and now it is used in treating wounds and antibiotics,” said Zacate in a mix of English and Filipino.

A House of Representatives joint panel recently approved in principle a bill legalizing the substance.