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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH tells pharma firms: Report, present proof of alleged anomalies in FDA

DOH tells pharma firms: Report, present proof of alleged anomalies in FDA

Published Nov 22, 2022 03:11 pm

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire speaks to members of the media during the first face-to-face press briefing after two years at the DOH Central Office in Manila on Wednesday, July 20. (MB Photo: Noel Pabalate)

The Department of Health (DOH) encouraged pharmaceutical companies that have knowledge on the alleged anomalies in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to report it and show evidence of such illegal acts.

DOH Officer-in-Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire vowed to immediately conduct an investigation once evidence of illegal acts concerning FDA will be submitted to the DOH.

“The Food and Drug Administration being an office under the Office of the Secretary of Health, we are open to these kinds of issues that are being thrown at us,” said Vergeire in a press briefing on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

“But we request also that if this pharmaceutical company really have evidence to provide, please submit it to the Office of the Secretary so that we can be able to investigate it at once and we can address it and provide appropriate measures against those who are in violation,” she added.

Vergeire made the statement following the claims of Senator Raffy Tulfo of alleged corrupt practices in the FDA.

During the Senate deliberations on the DOH’s budget last Nov. 18, Tulfo claimed that some officials of FDA are allegedly asking P5 million to P20 million from pharmaceutical companies to fast track the process of their products’ Certificate of Product registration (CPR).

Vergeire said that evidence is necessary because this will determine what actions should be taken by the DOH.

“Hanggang hindi nakikita ang ebidensya, hanggat hindi naiimbestigahan, ‘di tayo makapagbigay ng (Until we see the evidence, until we are able to conduct an investigation, we cannot provide) judgment on this,” she said.

“The Office of the Secretary is going to wait for the submission of these different evidence so that we can provide appropriate measures,” she added.

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Department of Health (DOH) Maria Rosario Vergeire
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