By Fernan Angeles
AT least five potential COVID-19 vaccines would likely have its clinical trials here in the Philippines by December, says Philippine Council for Health Research Development executive director Jaime Montoya.
In a radio interview, Montoya said the start of trials would depend on the compliance of manufacturers.
“Ang ating prediction, mga December. Kasi po ang Solidarity Trial, halimbawa, ay talagang ang sinabi ng World Health Organization ay December po ‘yan magsisimula,” he said.
“Ito pong ibang mga aplikasyon natin, hindi natin masabi. Baka December din po magsimula. Depende po ‘yan kung gaano kabilis nila masasagot ‘yung mga tanong ng ating mga eksperto at FDA,” he added.
Aside from the potential COVID-19 vaccines under the WHO Solidarity Trial, Montoya said that five manufacturers have applied to conduct clinical trials of their products in the Philippines:
• Sinovac from China
• Janssen
• Sputnik V from Russia
• Clover Biopharmaceuticals
• AstraZeneca
For the pharmaceutical companies to be able to conduct clinical trials in the country for their potential vaccine, Montoya hinted on the need for them to secure clearance from a panel of vaccine experts under DOST.
Then, it would also need approval from the Ethics Board and the Food and Drug Administration.
Food and Administration Director General and Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said only Sinovac has been cleared so far by the vaccine expert panel.