THE Department of Health (DOH) has directed the new head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to streamline the agency’s processes, especially those relative to the COVID-19 response, to help government provide a timely response to the pandemic.
DOH officer-in-charge Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, in a briefing last Friday, said among the primary marching orders to FDA Director General Dr. Samuel Zacate, Vergeire said, is to continue coordinating with COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers.
In particular, she said, Zacate is expected to find out which among the COVID-19 vaccine providers of the Philippines are ready to apply for the certificate of product registration (CPR).
“If and when the state of calamity is lifted, we need to have COVID-19 vaccines with CPRs,” she said.
The state of public health emergency was declared in March 2020. If it is lifted, the public can buy vaccines with CPRs. All COVID-19 vaccines being used now only have emergency use authorization (EUA) given by the FDA.
Zacate, President Marcos Jr.’ personal physician, was appointed FDA chief last week. He succeeds Dr. Oscar Gutierrez, who served as FDA officer-in-charge since January 2022.
