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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider ARTA wants green lane for local COVID-19 vaccine makers

ARTA wants green lane for local COVID-19 vaccine makers

Published Apr 24, 2021 10:36 am

The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) has given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seven working days to complete the establishment of a green lane for the applications of local coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine manufacturers.

Anti-Red Tap Authority Director General Jeremiah Belgica (Photo: ARTA/Facebook)

ARTA Director-General Jeremiah Belgica made the statement following President Duterte's directive to set up a green lane for faster permit processing of local COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to reduce dependency on imported jabs.

In a meeting with the FDA and various pharmaceutical companies on Friday morning, Belgica said that the creation of a green lane was not a suggestion but a Presidential directive that needed to be carried out immediately.

"The President will not settle for anything less...We are in an emergency, every minute counts, so we must act like it is an emergency," he said.

"Ipakita ho natin na kaya natin (Let's show the public that we can do it). Let's make it happen in record time," he added.

Presidential Adviser on Streamlining of Government Processes Jun Evasco seconded the need for a green lane, saying its creation will help in keeping more people safe from COVID-19.

"By creating the green lane, we prevent more people getting sick, people dying, people losing jobs," he said.

"I convey my support to FDA, please do it in abnormal times because what you do is for the betterment of the people," he added.

For his part, Higinio Porte of the Philippine Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association said that Unilab and Lloyd Laboratories have expressed interest to install a vaccine manufacturing facility. However, he admitted that existing regulatory requirements make it difficult for them to do so.

In response, ARTA Deputy Director-General Ernesto Perez recommended the establishment of a One-Stop-Shop for the convenience of companies willing to invest in local vaccine manufacturing facilities.

"We want more detailed inputs coming from you so whatever your concerns, we will be able to raise these to the government agencies concerned," Perez said.

ARTA will be holding another meeting next week where FDA is expected to present the timeline, documentary requirements, and process for green lanes for local manufacturing and importation of vaccines.

Related Tags

Anti-Red Tape Authority ARTA Jeremiah Belgica covid-19 red tape Jun Evasco Evasco Leoncio Evasco vaccine manufacturer Coronavirus disease Food and Drug Administration FDA vaccine coronavirus covid-19 vaccine Belgica Green lane
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