MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine government is looking to issue by January or February an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Monday.
FDA director-general Usec. Eric Domingo said the application for Pfizer’s vaccine is now being evaluated, which may last for two to three weeks.
Two panels of experts from the FDA will evaluate the application – one will look into the clinical information of the product and another to check on its technical side.
If all goes according to plan, and if the developer is able to submit all requirements, Domingo said an EUA may be issued by the end of January or beginning of February 2021.
“Basically, I would think 2 to 3 weeks for evaluation and within a month if everything is acceptable and in order then maybe we can release an Emergency Use Authorization,” he said.
“Once you have a EUA then the government can officially purchase a product and import it into the country and use it during the vaccination,” he added.
President Rodrigo Duterte recently allowed the FDA to issue emergency use authorization for COVID-19 vaccines and drugs that are expected to be made available in the Philippines next year. – RRD (with details from Correspondent Aiko Miguel)
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