PGH, RITM to conduct Covid vaccine trials

Clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine will be conducted at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM), and Manila Doctors Hospital, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Right now we are in the stage of identifying hospitals where the clinical trials of the vaccine will be conducted. We identified PGH, RITM, and Manila Doctors. Those who want to join will have to affiliate with these hospitals,” Secretary Fortunato De La Pena said.

“We are also in the process of identifying those experts who will do the trials. Our vaccine experts panel is helping us and they are the ones who will analyze the safety and efficacy considerations that should be in place. They will also review the trial areas and trialists,” he said.

De La Pena said clinical trials may start in October and will probably last for six months.

The DOST chief earlier disclosed that even if Russia was the first to register a Covid-19 vaccine, the DOST would still welcome clinical trials on vaccines that are being manufactured by other countries that would be approved by the Food and Drug Administration Philippines.

Source: TheManila Times