Two of eight groups keen on establishing facilities for the production of vaccines against the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have entered the advanced stage of their plans, with at least one of them ready to operate before the end of the Duterte administration,
Secretary Ramon Lopez of the Department of Trade and Industry told Kapihan sa Manila Bay one of the two companies is Lloyds Laboratories which is finalizing its deal with its technology partner from China .It is in the process of acquiring equipment to start operations.
According to Lopez, the other groups are finalizing their partnerships for the sourcing of the vaccines with technology companies from India, South Korea and Australia.
Lopez said the proponents of the vaccine manufacturing will start with the fill- and- finish model to speed up operations. This is much faster to set up and the companies can later upgrade to full manufacturing not just for COVID vaccines but for other vaccines as well..
He said these proponents can fasttrack the start of operations as long as the vaccines they are bringing in have the emergency use authority from the Food and Drug Administration.
Lopez said license to operate is now easy to obtain in as fast as 20 days. Imports are also hastened with the establishment of green lanes for vaccines and other critical care products.
Incentives are also available for the sector.
Lopez expressed confidence at least one of these 8 companies will be up and running before the end of the Duterte government. – Irma Isip
