The public can expect a decision soon from the Food and Drug Administration of the Philippines on the emergency use authorization (EUA) of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
According to FDA Director General Eric Domingo, their panel of experts have sent clarifications to the drug manufacturer to which it is expected to provide answers. Once they have done so, the FDA will be able to render a decision on Pfizer’s application.
“Kahapon, nagbigay ng konting katanungan yung ating mga eksperto na pinadala natin sa sa Pfizer. At binigyan ko sila ng 48 hours to reply and give the information requested by our panel. Pagkatapos nun, ibabalik sa akin ng January 10. And a few days after that, makakagawa na tayo ng desisyon sa kanilang aplikasyon.”
Domingo’s slide presentation showing the timeline for Pfizer indicated January 14 as the date estimated for the FDA’s decision on Pfizer’s EUA application.
Domingo also stressed that only Pfizer has applied for emergency use in the Philippines, noting that the FDA is also anticipating AstraZeneca’s application in a few day.
“Yung Oxford (University) na AstraZeneca na bakuna, na-approve na sa UK at sa India. We anticipate na mag-apply na rin sila sa atin sa Pilipinas,” Domingo said, showing a slide mentioning that AstraZeneca might apply in a few days.
Pharma firm AstraZeneca has a tripartite supply deal with the private sector and the Philippine government. Aside from this the British drug manufacturer is also negotiating with local government units planning to procure their own vaccine supply for their constituents.
