The Department of Health (DOH) has formally demanded French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Pasteur to refund the entire amount of P3 billion paid for the controversial Dengvaxia vaccines – used or unused.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed late Monday that he already sent the demand letter to Sanofi last January 26, asking the French firm to refund almost P2 billion payment for the used vaccines.

Earlier, Sanofi returned to the Philippine government the over P1 billion for the unused Dengvaxia.

“We already sent the letter for the refund of the used vaccines….because the purported protection wasn’t felt, wasn’t there,” Duque said.

“In fact they withdrew the label; they did a re-labelling because they said you can no longer use this for seronegative children who never had past dengue infection,” Duque added.

Regional directors and DOH hospitals have already been instructed on the right handling, monitoring and managing  of cases involving those who were vaccinated with Dengvaxia but who may later contract the dengue virus.

Duque is also seeking legislative reforms, including the strengthening of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) as the mandatory research arm of DOH, and ensuring the independence of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As of January 24, a total of 26 deaths have been recorded blamed on the Dengvaxia vaccine, according to the DOH.

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Betheena Kae Unite

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