Vaccine project left to next leaders (Sabong News)

The outgoing administration will have to pass on to the next leaders the decision on how to pursue the much-vaunted vaccine manufacturing project, a supposed legacy of the Duterte administration hatched at the height of the pandemic. “I guess we will have to leave it to the next administration on how far can they really commit you know, assuring the purchase of pharmaceuticals or vaccines from these new investors,” said Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez during a television interview. Lopez explained that pharmaceutical firms, which are all present in the country, still remained interested in vaccine manufacturing but they also require a market commitment that the government will purchase their locally produced vaccines. “That is where we could not commit at the moment,” Lopez admitted. Since the Duterte administration cannot commit to buy the vaccines to be produced by giant pharmaceutical firms, Lopez said “I guess we will have to leave it to the next administration on how far can they really commit.” Among the various interests floated earlier last year, the DTI identified two local pharmaceutical firms in “advanced stage and very serious interest” of their proposed COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing plans while at least four foreign companies were also identified as potential vaccine technology providers. The 6 interested firms were Greentech, Glovax Biotech, IG Biotech, New Marketlink, Lloyds Laboratories, and Unilab. Of these firms, DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, who is also BOI managing head, said Glovax Biotech was the most advanced while another local firm, which he did not identify, has the capability to mount such project and is described as “very very serious” in pursuing its plan for a COVID-19 vaccine plant in the country. Rodolfo said that he personally held discussions with the Filipino firm Glovax and its partner Eubiologics, the South Korean vaccine technology provider. Glovax, an existing vaccine-focused distributor in the country, has also proposed to build a vaccine manufacturing with investment of ₱7 billion, but would like to get a supply agreement from the government to ensure its project’s viability. Even before the COVID19 pandemic, Rodolfo Glovax had already proposed to the government for vaccine manufacturing in the country. BOI led government agencies — Department of Health, Food and Drugs Administration, Department of Science and Technology and the National Development Co.(NDC) — in facilitating discussions with interested Filipino companies and potential technology providers. In March last year, Duterte expressed his desire on the establishment of an institute that will develop and produce vaccines in the country. In May of same year, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go filed a measure seeking to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). Go said he filed the bill in support of Duterte’s call to establish a virology institute that will capacitate the country to conduct scientific research initiatives and eventually develop its own vaccines The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also strongly supported President Duterte’s intention to establish an institute that will develop and produce vaccines in the country as his legacy to the nation before his six-year term ends on June 30 this year. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) also joined calling for discussions on the establishment of green lane for faster processing of permit applications of local vaccine manufacturers following the directive of President Duterte. ARTA Director General Jeremiah Belgica had committed to ensure a “green lane” to streamlining government processes in relation to the issuance of permits for local vaccine manufacturing.