Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 26) — The Food and Drug Administration and the Bureau of Customs will speed up the entry process for importers of medical equipment, which are deemed essential to treat patients with COVID-19.
FDA Director General Rolando Domingo, in a March 23 letter addressed to BOC Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero, said FDA eased the requirements on some imported technological devices to expedite their release from the custody of Customs. This is to ensure enough supplies for those providing healthcare services to COVID-19 patients.
In a new guidance from the FDA, firms which sell ventilators, respirators and their respective accessories are only required to present copies of license to operate to Customs officers, while, foreign donors need not secure clearance from the regulator.
Typically, companies need to get a certificate of registration, notification or exemption from the Philippines’ FDA before being allowed to sell their products here, Domingo told CNN Philippines.
Ventilators help patients breathe. Coronavirus disease attacks the respiratory system of the person it has afflicted.
The measure is also part of the government efforts to address the public health emergency caused by the viral illness, which has so far killed 38 people and infected 636 in the Philippines.
