By Fernan Angeles
CLINICAL trials for Sputnik V vaccine in the Philippines are likely to happen in the Philippines, whether or not the World Health Organization gives the green light.
However, these trials of the vaccine from Russia might fall under the “independent trials” category, said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said: “Kung sakaling magta-trials sa Pilipinas ang Sputnik, ito po ay malamang under the ‘independent trials’ category kasi hindi ko po alam kung makakasama sila sa WHO solidarity trials, inaantay pa namin ang announcement ng WHO.”
Philippines’ vaccine panel expert head Dr. Nina Gloriani was designated by the WHO to the panel that will recommend the vaccines to be used for the solidarity trials.
Dela Peña added, a confidentiality data agreement will be signed between Russia and the Philippines, wherein Philippine health and vaccine experts could analyze the results of the clinical trials in Russia.
“Kung ano ang kakalabasan ng ating pagsusuri ng ating panel isa-submit ‘yan sa FDA (Food and Drug Administration) kasi ang ating FDA po ang magbibigay ng ating go-signal sa pag-conduct ng clinical trials,” he said.