President Duterte has authorized the immediate procurement of rapid test kits kits for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even if these have no regulatory approval yet from local authorities.
The President said he was ready to “take the risk” and “clear the way” for the purchase of rapid test kits to enhance the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus.“There’s a rule that we cannot use public funds to buy medical supplies, medicines, without the FDA signal so na-hostage ‘yung mga rapid tests that we would like to buy. I will take the risk. I will order the health department and everybody,” he said in taped public address aired on state television late Monday.
“In the meantime, the private sector is doing it. Maybe we can take over someday or do it altogether with your help. I am clearing the way by ordering the purchase tutal walang FDA local,” he said. “When you use public funds on anything that’s medical or medicine, you want to have the health assessment. I think it comes from the Department of Health. But unfortunately until now, they are still debating on the efficacy of the rapid tests we would like to buy,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told the President that under the Universal Healthcare Law, the DOH and the PhilHealth cannot procure supplies without he approval of the Health Technology Assessment Council.
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