DOH to Sanofi: Give full refund of the 3.5 Billion pesos worth purchase of Dengvaxia

The Secretary of the Depart of Health (DOH) Francisco Duque III said that he will demand a full refund for the purchase of the Anti-dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, from the big pharmaceutical company, Sanofi Pasteur.

The Sanofi Pasteur is the manufacturer of the controversial vaccine, Dengvaxia, that was not only released despite not having a go signal from several recognized institutions such as the World Health Organization (WHO), but it has also subjected almost a million Filipino children in harm’s way by distributing the drug in national scale in several schools.

DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III / Photo credits to the owner

Duque said that "The French pharmaceutical giant [Sanofi Pasteur] later on acknowledged that the vaccine is not recommended for people who have had no prior dengue infection lest the vaccination increases the risk of severe dengue. As this disclosure was made only after the health department had already vaccinated thousands of schoolchildren, the news created a scare among parents and the Filipino public."

And indemnification fund was also said to be demanded by the health secretary from the pharmaceutical giant to cover the hospitalization of the numerous affected Filipino children by the controversial anti-dengue vaccine.

"We will demand the refund of the PhP 3.5 billion paid for the Dengvaxia, and that Sanofi set up an indemnification fund to cover the hospitalization and medical treatment for all children who might have severe dengue," the health secretary said.

Almost 800,000 unusued vaccines worth over P1 billion will be returned to Sanofi Pasteur, according to  the DOH in an interview last Thursday.

Former president Noynoy Aquino and former Health Secretary Janette Garin / Photo credits to the owner

DOH has also created a task force to extensively look into and address health issues of more than 800,000 filipino children who were subjected with Dengvaxia.

"This shall guide the Department of Health in responding to the safety concerns relevant to the use of this vaccine and how to proceed with the dengue program to ensure safeguards and prevent similar incidents in the future," Secretary Duque said.

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Source: CNN Philippines