Solon raises alarm on unauthorized vaccine sales

 

Taduran’s statement followed the advisory issued by the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) on the unethical sale and use of vaccines with some nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers allegedly doing home vaccination as a business.

 

“Vaccines should be dispensed only to doctors and must be properly handled, stored and transported because these are biological products. Hindi puwedeng basta ibenta sa kahit sino, kahit na nurse pa o midwife. At hindi rin sila puwedeng mag-home service at basta isaksak sa mga pasyente,” said Taduran.

(You cannot sell it to anyone, even a nurse or midwife. They also cannot render home service and just inject it into patients)

 

The solon said some unscrupulous individuals are taking advantage of the quarantine by offering home vaccinations to those who are afraid to go out and be inoculated in health centers or private clinics.

 

“The Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration should look into these reported illegal vaccinations and unregulated sale of vaccines online. This is very dangerous because we don’t even know if these vaccines are genuine. Those who sell online or directly to people who are not authorized or qualified to vaccinate should answer to the law,” warned Taduran.

 

The PPS said only doctors are licensed to administer vaccines.

 

Nurses, midwives and other healthcare workers are not allowed to prescribe medicines but may perform the procedure only in the presence of a duly licensed physician. The doctor will be responsible for the procedure and outcome of the vaccination.

 

The law also prohibits the sale and advertisement of ethical drugs including biologicals and vaccines on any media platform including online media based on Administrative Order 55 series of 1989 of the FDA on Guidelines on Advertisement and Promotions to Implement the Generics Act of 1988.