THE Department of Health (DOH) yesterday called on pharmaceutical companies that have allegedly experienced bribe demands from officials of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come out and present evidence.
In a press conference, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire urged the companies to submit proof that they have been asked to pay grease money by the FDA to speed up the process for their products’ approval.
“We request that if these pharmaceutical companies really have evidence to provide, please submit it to the Office of the (DOH) Secretary (OSec) 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,” said Vergeire.
“The OSec is going to wait for the submission of these (pieces of) evidence so that we can provide appropriate measures,” she added.
The DOH officer-in-charge said the agency is willing to look into the matter but that it would require the help of affected parties.
“Until we see the evidence, until we are able to investigate this, we cannot just give any judgement on this,” said Vergeire.
During the Senate deliberations on the DOH budget for 2023, Sen. Raffy Tulfo said some corrupt officials in the FDA have demanded bribe money ranging from P5 million to P20 million to facilitate the fast issuance of Certificates of Product Registration (CPRs) to companies.
The FDA is an agency under the DOH.
