The private sector is allowed to procure and bring in COVID-19 vaccines into the country from registered pharmaceutical companies under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act of Bayanihan 2, Senator Pia Cayetano said on Monday.
(Senate Public Relations & Information Bureau / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Cayetano issued the clarification as a co-sponsor in the Senate of Republic Act 11494, saying this is allowed dprovide they comply with the standards set by government authorities and existing laws.
“The government has no exclusive authority to procure and import COVID-19 vaccines. This is not debatable. The provision under Bayanihan 2 clearly states this,” Cayetano said in a statement.
Section 12 of the Bayanihan 2 law, states that “nothing in this Act shall prohibit private entities from conducting research, developing, manufacturing, importing, distributing or selling COVID-19 vaccine sourced from registered pharmaceutical companies, subject to the provisions of this Act and existing laws, rules and regulations.
The same Section, she pointed out, waives the requirement of Phase IV trials to expedite the procurement of said medication and vaccine, provided that the latter were recommended and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and/or other international health agencies.
Likewise, she said the law mandates minimum standards for the distribution of said vaccines shall be set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC).
The senator noted that the private sector has been the government’s reliable partner in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic.
“That Section 12 of Bayanihan 2 will remain in effect three months from December 19, 2020 or until March 19, 2021,” Cayetano said.