Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 12) — Medical frontliners have flagged the government’s decision to allow the use of unregistered COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by China’s Sinopharm for President Rodrigo Duterte’s security group, stressing this could further weigh down public trust in vaccination.
Eyebrows were raised following the move of the Food and Drug Administration to grant the Presidential Security Group’s application for “compassionate special permit” to use 10,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines.
Health experts said the special permit leaves doubts about the government’s transparency and the equitable distribution of vaccines against the coronavirus.
Dr. Magdalena Barcelon, president of the doctors’ group Community Medicine Practitioners and Advocates Association, raised a question on whether Duterte’s security aides should now be prioritized over essential workers.
“Nagkakaron nang pagkukumpara, mas essential ba sila sa teachers o social workers na nagpupunta sa communities?” Dr. Barcelo said.
[Translation: This fuels comparison. Are they considered even more essential than teachers or social workers who visit communities?]
Dr. Joseph Carabeo, secretary general of Health Alliance for Democracy, sees this as an act of “tyranny.”
“Is the government really admitting, or de facto abolishing the FDA [or even its own] IATF guidelines?” he said.
“Kung ganito na (If it is), it is a presidential announcement. It is nothing but a tyranny over health issues and other social issues as well,” Dr. Carabeo said.
Health reform advocate and former COVID-19 Task Force adviser Dr. Tony Leachon also questioned the need for a special permit when Sinopharm can apply for Emergency Use Authorization.
Leachon also raised a few points—who will supervise the vaccination and the monitoring of adverse effects, and if this would violate the priority listing of the vaccination plan.
Senator Risa Hontiveros also lambasted the FDA, branding the granting of the compassionate permit as “suspicious,” since they will have a separate vaccination program, which is not in line with the guidelines of the National Task Force against COVID-19.
FDA director general Eric Domingo defended the agency’s decision, saying they found enough reason to grant the permit since Sinopharm has a conditional certificate of registration in China and is already on phase 3 trials.
Domingo also said the PSG Hospital chief explained the vaccine is needed to ensure the President’s safety.
“As part of personal security of the President, di sila nakakasunod sa (they do not follow) social distancing protocols and they protect dignitaries and since the health of the President is a national security issue, we don’t want him getting sick, and of course those around him. [So] we decided to grant the special permit,” Domingo said.
The FDA official noted this is just a one-time permit for 10,000 doses, enough for 5,000 people.
He said more than 2,000 members of the PSG will be vaccinated, while the rest will be given to their close contacts, mostly immediate family members.
CNN Philippines correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.
Why do we need Compassionate Special Permit for SINOPHARM when they can apply for EUA?
The compassionate use license will allow the PSG to get access to unregistered vaccines sans an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the FDA. Please see requirements of CSPattached herewith. pic.twitter.com/zmC03pMTCO— Tony Leachon MD (@DrTonyLeachon) February 12, 2021
