Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Sunday that the Philippines is expected to join COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials by the 4th quarter of the year.
(China’s biggest pharma invites the Philippines to join global COVID-19 vaccine trial)
As of May 23, the Inter-Agency Task Force approved the recommendation by the Department of Science and Technology for the Philippines to participate in clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine. The DOST will be leading the sub-technical working group which oversees the coordination of collaborating organizations on related matters.
Such organizations include the Department of Health, World Health Organization, and Food and Drug Administration.
Roque stated that the DOST-led group will be providing guidelines on vaccine clinical trials; identifying the sites, local institutions, and Filipino researchers involved; and assisting local institutions in matters such as proposals and budgets.
Roque added that President Rodrigo Duterte will be reviewing the recommendation of the DOST to establish the Virology Science and Technology Institute and reactivate the Pharmaceutical Development Unit.
According to the IATF, the two research centers “can initiate and strengthen local vaccine development.”
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