Palace: Separate EUA may be needed for additional Sinopharm imports

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Screengrab from RTVM/PTV

MANILA, Philippines — A separate emergency use authorization (EUA) may be needed for additional imports of the China-made Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, Malacañang said Tuesday.

In a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the EUA issued by the Food and Drug Administration only covers the jabs donated by China.

“Ang pagkakaintindi ko po, yung EUA was granted for the 1,000 donated [doses],” Roque said.

(From what I understand, the EUA was granted for the 1,000 donated doses.)

“Kasi specific po yung EUA, it was for the donated Sinopharm. So kung mag-aangkat pa po ng mas marami, I think a separate EUA will have to be given to the entity na magiimport po nyan,” Roque said.

(The EUA is specific, it was for the donated Sinopharm. If we will import more, I think a separate EUA will have to be given to the entity that will import it.)

President Rodrigo Duterte was inoculated with the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine in May. At the time he was vaccinated, the vaccine had yet to receive an EUA though the FDA granted compassionate use of the jab to the Presidential Security Group.

Due to criticisms, Duterte said he asked China to just “withdraw” 1,000 Sinopharm shots donated to the country.

This prompted the Department of Health to instead just apply for Sinopharm’s EUA so that the 1,000 doses donation would not have to be sent back to China.

JPV