The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday, August 24, said that Pfizer-BioNTech should still apply for full authorization for its coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine in the Philippines.

In an interview with DZBB, FDA director general Eric Domingo said that once the vaccine is fully approved, it will allow the manufacturer to sell their products to individuals and private companies in the country.

"Maaari na po nilang i-benta kapag nag-apply sila dito sa atin at na-approve sila. Ang tinatawag po natin na certificate of product registration, maaari na po siyang ibenta hindi lamang sa gobyerno, kundi sa mga ospital, clinic at pharmacy, maari na pong i-distribute yan (They can already sell when they apply here and get approved. There is a certificate of product registration that we call -- it can now be sold not only to the government, but also to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies-- it can now be distributed,)" Domingo said.

"Mas magiging marami pong paraan ang paggamit at pag-distribute ng mga bakuna (There will be more ways to use and distribute vaccines)," he added.

On Monday, August 23, Pfizer became the first COVID-19 vaccine that has been granted full approval by the US FDA.

"Nag apply na po ngayon sila sa America, siyempre usually uunahin po nila ang kanilang country. I-pprepare na po nila niyan ang application nila sa iba't ibang bansa (They already applied in America, of course they usually give priority to their country. They will now prepare their application in different countries), " he said.

He added it would take at least one month for the FDA to process the application for full approval.

Domingo also said that once there is already an approved vaccine, they won't be issuing new Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) anymore.

"After one year, all that will expire and the only ones that can be used are fully approved products," he said.

"Madidistribute din ang gastos dahil sa mga taong willing naman po magbayad para makuha yung bakuna na gusto nila, basta registered na po ito, magiging kanya kanya na po ang gusto (The cost will also be distributed because there will be people willing to pay to get the vaccine they want. As long as it is registered, it will be theirs)," he added.

Meanwhile, Domingo said they have no idea on how much the vaccine will cost as the FDA only focuses on safety and efficacy of the products.

The country is expecting around five million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine by September.