April 4, 2024

Philippines to expedite approval of ASF and avian influenza vaccines

The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) announced its collaboration with the country's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to accelerate the approval process for vaccines against African swine fever (ASF) and avian influenza (AI), Philippine News Agency reported.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa highlighted the alignment of this effort with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's directive to hasten vaccine procurement in the fight against ASF and AI.

De Mesa said that one of the topics discussed was how to harmonise the procedure and to ensure that the criteria in the approval process used by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and FDA are organised to expedite the approval.

Conversations were held between DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr and FDA Director General Dr Samuel Zacate, focused on immediately approving procedures for vaccines, bioproducts, and veterinary products.

Moreover, Laurel and Zacate discussed plans to enhance border control in collaboration with the Bureau of Customs to prevent the entry of illegal food products into the country.

Earlier, the DA had reached out to vaccine suppliers from the US and Vietnam, urging them to secure FDA approval before delivery.

According to the DA, ASF vaccines might become available by the year-end or early 2025.

-      Philippine News Agency