4 local firms interested in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines
Four local pharmaceutical firms are looking to set up a “local vaccine industry,” particularly on fill-and-finish vaccine manufacturing arrangements, according to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officials.
Under the fill-and finish arrangement, the Philippines will import the vaccines and put them in a vial, ampule or single-shot syringe for commercial distribution.
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara stated that as early as March 2020, the agency has had collaborative talks with some of its international partners on vaccine development.
Further, in a separate interview with GMA News, DOST-PCHRD Executive Director Dr. Jaime C. Montoya is optimistic that as more COVID-19 vaccines get FDA-approved, more firms will be interested in venturing into vaccine development and production in the country.
