President Rodrigo Duterte got inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine, and it drew criticism from medical professionals.
The Chinese vaccine is granted only as a ‘compassionate use’ for the PSG (Presidential Security Group), also got administered to Duterte despite not having an emergency use authorization (EUA) from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
Dr. Paolo Medina, an assistant professor in U.P. College of Medicine, raised an eyebrow as Francisco Duque III, the Health Secretary, jabbed the President with the unauthorized vaccine. Moreover, he irked the Government for proudly using an illegal Covid-19 vaccine.
Tapos yung DOH secretary mismo ang nagtuturok? Anak ng tipaklong. Walang EUA yung bakuna (meaning illegal) tapos ipinagmamagaling niyo pa? ANG LALA NIYO PO. https://t.co/qZefHdCav6
— Paolo Medina MD (@LopaoMD) May 3, 2021
Robbin Dagle even noted that the Covid-19 immunization of Duterte through Sinopharm is an insult to the FDA, NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Groups), and all the vaccine experts who are ensuring that the vaccines are safe before administering to the people.
Furthermore, Duque, the Department of Health’s (DOH) chief, administered the vaccine. With FDA being under DOH, the usage of an unregistered vaccine makes the insult even bigger.
The Secretary of Health just administered an unapproved drug to the President.
Muli, isang malaking sampal sa FDA, NITAG, at lahat ng vaccine experts na nagsisikap matiyak ang ligtas na pagbabakuna sa Pilipinas. https://t.co/qzlUIvINBB
— Robbin M. Dagle (@RCDagle) May 3, 2021
Dr. Gene Nisperos, the UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU)-Manila Chapter president, criticized Duque for giving a vaccine to the Philippine President even without FDA approval.
Bakit pa may FDA kung hindi naman ito ginagalang ng mga doktor, pulitiko at ng presidente mismo?
Bakit pa may DOH Secretary kung ang papel lang niya ay sumunod sa presidente kahit mali?
Ibinakuna ni Duque kay Du30 ang Sinopharm na wala pang FDA approval.
Paano yan naging tama?
— doc gene (@genenisperos) May 4, 2021
Dr. Carlo Trinidad stressed that Duterte can be given the Sinopharm vaccine even without approval from the FDA simply because he can. Trinidad then concluded that the president, including those with power, are exempted from the law.
https://twitter.com/hellokidneyMD/status/1389208848850776066
Meanwhile, Malacañang defended the inoculation of Duterte. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque clarified that the vaccine was covered by compassionate use.
The vaccine was also not smuggled as it was part of the 1,000 additional shots donated by the Chinese government.
“It’s covered by compassionate use so as far as the President is concerned, he did not violate any laws because precisely it was administered by Presidential Security Group (PSG) hospital although physically administrated by the Health Secretary himself,” explained Roque during a Palace briefing.
“So covered ‘yan ng compassionate use permit so walang nalabag ng ating Presidente at yung supply naman ay nanggaling sa additional 1,000 donation ng Chinese government to the Philippine government,” he added.
However, Roque also said that China’s Sinopharm is yet to apply for a EUA.
On the other hand, some lawmakers started to distribute Ivermectin, an animal anti-parasitic drug for COVID-19.
However, the drug was not granted EUA. Still, ANAKALUSUGAN Rep. Mike Defensor and Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, both allies of Pres. Duterte continues to distribute the unapproved drug despite warnings from the FDA and the DOH due to insufficient scientific evidence.
Earlier this December 2020, the PSG got involved in an issue pertaining to the usage of an unregistered Covid-19 vaccine.
The Senate probed the illegal inoculation. However, Duterte ordered members of the security group not to testify.