By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Health Sector Group has announced that five local drug manufacturers have committed to participating in the production of anti-tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call for local manufacturers to contribute to the fight against these diseases.
“We are very proud of the collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), focusing on TB and HIV, two of the most formidable diseases with increasing case numbers,” stated PSAC Healthcare Sector Lead, Paolo Borromeo.
“We are pleased to announce that five local drug manufacturers have signed up to produce anti-TB medications and participate in national bidding processes conducted by the DOH. A bidding process took place last November, and we are now awaiting the results,” added Borromeo, who also serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc.
According to PSAC, while 24 manufacturers have expressed readiness to produce anti-TB drugs, only one has shown interest in manufacturing HIV medications.
To ensure affordability and maintain a consistent supply, the President has instructed the DOH and the FDA to collaborate with the private sector in identifying medications suitable for domestic production.
(el Amigo/MNM)