FDA assures objective scrutiny of Sinovac’s vaccine amid bribery claims

MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines assured Tuesday that it would process the application of Sinovac Biotech “objectively” amid claims that the pharmaceutical firm bought its way to get past Chinese regulators in the past.

Sinovac is currently seeking the approval of the FDA to conduct Phase 3 clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine here.

“Very objective po ang ating gagawing pagsusuri, depende lamang po sa datos at sa evidence na ipapakita nila,” FDA Director-General Eric Domingo said in a televised Laging Handa Public Briefing.

Domingo warned Sinovac that it would face sanctions once it tries to bribe Philippine regulators.

“Dito po sa Pilipinas, huwag po nilang subukang manuhol dahil magkakaproblema sila at sila po ay lalong hindi maaapprove,” the FDA chief said.

“Sa FDA po we’re going to be objective about it. We will treat the company as legitimately doing business but of course, once they try something e sila na po ang mananagot at magkakaproblema po sila ng malaki,” he added.

In a Dec. 4 report, US newspaper Washington Post said Sinovac Biotech had been found to have a record of bribing Chinese drug regulators to secure vaccine approvals, which had raised serious questions about its products’ safety.

READ: Bribery past hounds Chinese firm eyeing PH market for coronavirus vaccines

According to the report, Sinovac’s CEO admitted to giving more than $83,000 to a regulatory official from 2002 to 2011.

“Those years corresponded to Sinovac’s breakout period when the biotech startup founded in 2001 was handpicked by Beijing officials to lead the development of vaccines for SARS, avian flu and swine flu,” Washington Post said.

While regulatory approval of Sinovac’s vaccine is still ongoing, talks about a possible supply agreement between the Philippine government and the Chinese firm is also in the works.

COVID-19 policy chief implementer and vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said their meeting with Sinovac representatives last Friday was “very substantial” and that he is looking to finalize the agreement this week.

JE