FDA to allow vaccination in drug stores soon

PHOTO from fda.gov.ph

MANILA, Philippines—Soon, you can get vaccinated in drug stores too.

In an advisory on Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it has partnered with the Philippine Pharmacists Association in its plan to train and authorize FDA-licensed community pharmacists in drug outlets registered with the agency to administer adult vaccines and other immuno-products.

“Licensed-pharmacists in FDA-licensed drug outlets who have completed the training course may be authorized by the FDA to vaccinate healthy individuals,” said Dr. Kenneth Go, the FDA acting general, in FDA Advisory No. 2014-067 issued on Tuesday.

Go said the planned training course would be conducted by the FDA and the Department of Health (DOH) in collaboration with a licensed immunizing pharmacist.

The course will include modules on safe injection technique; cold chain management of vaccines and other biological products; pharmacovigilance; reporting of adverse events following immunization and management of anaphylaxis.

Go added that the FDA would tap the roughly 24,000 drug outlets across the country in ensuring that Filipinos, especially those belonging to the lowest quintile of the society, would have access to available and affordable vaccines.

“The DOH is working closely with PhilHealth in order to fully cover the cost of adult vaccination for qualified individuals,” he said.

The FDA official also underscored the importance of vaccination among adult individuals to ensure their protection against infectious diseases like influenza.

Getting vaccinated would ensure the protection of vulnerable individuals such as infants and children, pregnant women, elderly persons and persons with disabilities or chronic medical conditions, among others, added Go.