Malacañang said the government should not be held responsible for possible adverse side effects of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines if the private companies will buy them directly from pharmaceutical firms.
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque made the statement as he clarified President Duterte's recent remarks about the indemnity clause in vaccine contracts.
In a radio interview on Wednesday, Roque said the President was clear that the private sector could only buy vaccines from their employees through a tripartite agreement with the national government because only then will the government be responsible for side effects.
"So malinaw na malinaw po yung sinabi ni Presidente. Hindi pwedeng bibili ang private sector sa labas ng tripartite agreement habang wala pang general use (The President was clear. The private sector cannot buy vaccines without the tripartite agreement as long as vaccines are not approved for general use)," he told Teleradyo.
"Kung talagang gusto nilang diretso na walang gobyerno, eh kung pupwede hayaan mo sila pero pag merong side effects 'yan, mananagot ang private, hindi ang gobyerno (If private companies will insist to deal with vaccine makers without the government, then let them. But if there will be side effects, they should be responsible, not the government)," he added.
"Kung mananagot ang gobyerno eh kasama tayo sa tripartite agreement (If you want the government to assume responsibility, then enter into a tripartite agreement)," he continued.
The Palace official likewise reiterated that the government cannot give in to the demand of blanket indemnity by some pharmaceutical firms.
"May ilang manufacturers na gusto nila absolutely wala silang pananagutan. Ang sabi ni Presidente, hindi rin pupwede yun (Some manufacturers want absolute no liability. the President said we cannot allow that)," Roque said.
"Doon sa mga vaccine manufacturers, miski hindi na tayo makakuha ng bakuna sa kanila (To those vaccine manufacturers, it's fine if we cannot get vaccines from you)," he added.
The COVID-19 Program Vaccination states that manufacturers will not be held liable for side effects as long as there is no willful neglect or gross negligence on their part.
According to Roque, no pharmaceutical firm will sell vaccines without the intervention of the government because their vaccines are only authorized for emergency use and not commercial use.
"Kaya nga nire-require ng mga manufacturer yung pirma ng gobyerno dahil gusto talaga nila yung undertaking ng gobyerno na sila ang magbabayad ang hindi yung mga manufacturers kung merong mangyayari (Vaccine manufacturers are requiring the government's signature because they want the government to pay for damages in case of side effects)," he said.