The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday clarified that vaccine prices reported on published and online platforms “are not, in any way, the negotiated prices” that the government and the manufacturer have agreed upon.
The DOH argued the vaccine prices reported by the Senate to have come from the agency were not even “indicative” market prices based on the rates offered by different manufacturers generated for the purpose of estimating the proposed budget for the country’s vaccination program.
“The DOH urges the public to trust and respect the process that the country, through vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, is undertaking to ensure that Filipinos are afforded the best vaccines at the most ideal prices,” the DOH said.
Galvez, also the National Task Force (NTF) against Covid-19 chief implementer, earlier cautioned the public that the prices of vaccines circulating online and in many publications are market prices and not the Covax prices that were in the government’s negotiations with vaccine manufacturers.
“The Covax prices are almost 300 percent lower than the market prices. In as much as we want to disclose the price list of these vaccines, our negotiations are bounded by a confidentiality agreement,” Galvez said.
Galvez said that the government maintains a portfolio of vaccines which contains all the brand names and manufacturers of vaccines that are under development.
From this portfolio, he said, the government identifies the companies it will negotiate with.
“All our decisions are based on the recommendations of our vaccine experts who have seen promising results in the candidate vaccines,” he said, stressing that the government remains steadfast in its battle against Covid-19.
He said the government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that “all Filipinos are safe and bring a greater sense of normalcy to our nation.”
“Finding ways to address this health crisis has been very challenging, not just for the Philippines but for countries all over the world. With almost 2 million deaths globally, around 10,000 of which come from our country, our efforts to lower our mortality rate has remained among our main priorities. Hence, despite the limited supply and massive global demand for the vaccines, we were able to negotiate and secure over 100 million vaccine doses at a lower price, or the same price offered to the Covax facility,” he explained.
As the country races against time to obtain access to safe and effective vaccines, the government immediately commenced negotiations with many vaccine makers from various countries, even as their products were still under the third phase of clinical trials.
“Nevertheless, we want to assure our countrymen that all vaccines to be purchased by the government will undergo the stringent evaluation and selection process of the Food and Drug Administration [FDA] to ensure their safety and efficacy.”
He reiterated that only FDA-approved vaccines, whether for an Emergency Use Authorization or for clinical trials, will be used in inoculating Filipinos.
Regardless of brand names or country origin, he said, “All vaccine candidates will undergo the same rigorous regulatory review procedures.”
“We expect the first batch of vaccines to arrive by next month. Hence, we encourage our countrymen to look beyond brand names and get immunized once the vaccines are available in their area. We all want to protect ourselves and our loved ones. And getting the vaccine is one of the best ways to achieve this,” he said.