Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 23) — A medical expert said use of an unregistered and unauthorized medical substance is considered irresponsible, especially among public officials.
On Monday, Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, also told CNN Philippines’ News.PH that the Department of Health’s Food and Drug Administration has the sole authority to approve which is safe to use for the Filipinos. She added that the agency follows a standard procedure and has its own expertise when it comes to this matter.
“Kaya may rules and regulations, kaya mayroong binibigay na certificate of registration eh para mapangalagaan at proteksyunan ang mga Pilipino,” she stressed.
[Translation: The reason why we have rules and regulations, why a certificate of registration is being issued is to ensure safety and protection of the Filipinos.]
This is in relation to the claim of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III that Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez have both received a vaccine against COVID-19.
Bravo noted that using unregistered drugs, in this case what was claimed as COVID-19 vaccine, posts risks and may lead to false sense of security since there is still no evidence that it is effective and safe.
She emphasized that it is important to wait for authorization by the country’s experts and to practice minimum health standards, even when the vaccine becomes available.
