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MANILA – With the insufficient supply of vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) globally, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez has urged vaccine manufacturers to make the Philippines their additional production base.
“What the vaccine technology owners need is really to multiply their manufacturing capacity because if they will just depend on their existing capacity, the global supply versus global demand is really insufficient,” Lopez said in mixed English and Filipino during a television interview Wednesday.
He said this type of investment is entitled to incentives under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) law.
Lopez added the country is also capable of handling Covid-19 vaccines with the available cold storage facilities as well as for distribution of the jabs.
He said eight pharmaceutical firms have expressed their interest to the government to put up their facilities in the country.
Two of these pharmaceutical companies, which are local firms, are already in advanced discussion with their technology partners in establishing fill and finish facilities in the country, Lopez said.
These firms will be importing the vaccines in bulk and will repack in vials in its Philippine facilities, he said.
“These will be licensed vaccines and have emergency use authorization (EUA) here,” he added.
The trade chief said the vaccine manufacturers will not be limited in producing Covid-19 vaccines but will also cover regular vaccines, or those that are being used for the regular immunization program.
He added that aside from catering to the local demand, they will be allowed to export their vaccines. (PNA)
