The Philippines’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed optimism that the evaluations that would allow Sinopharm to be granted with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) will be finished as soon as possible.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo (FILE PHOTO / Manila Bulletin)

Director-General Rolando Enrique Domingo, during President Duterte’s “Talk to the People” on Thursday night, May 13, gave an update on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines - particularly on those that can be used to inoculate the Filipinos in the future.

“Possible na vaccine na makakuha ng EUA is Sinopharm (It’s possible for Sinopharm to get EUA),” Domingo said, noting that the officials of the Department of Health (DOH) - which applied for the EUA for the vaccine brand - have already met with representatives of Sinopharm.

The DOH, under the orders of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, filed an EUA for Sinopharm. This is to ensure that the country does not have to return a batch of the brand donated by China.

“This morning, the DOH met with representatives of Sinopharm,” Domingo said. He added that on May 12, FDA also sent to the country’s Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) the “scientific data and clinical trial data of Sinopharm” for them to check. “And if they have questions, we can send these to Sinopharm,” he added.

Meanwhile, Domingo noted that FDA is also waiting for Novavax that would complete the government's vaccine portfolio.

“Ang inaabangan natin na bakuna na lang ang Novavax na hopefully, by next month, baka bigyan din ng US or India yung kanilang EUA at para makapag-apply na din dito - makukumpleto na ang listahan ng bakuna na maari natin bilhin (We are also looking forward to the Novavax vaccine which hopefully, by next month, can get EUA in the US or India so they can apply here - this will complete the list of vaccines that we can buy,” he ended.

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FDA hopes evaluations for Sinopharm to get EUA will be completed soon