Gov’t saved Php200-M in purchase of PCV-10 — Ona

Health Sec. Enrique T. Ona (photo courtesy of doh.gov.ph)

MANILA — On-leave Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique T. Ona said the government saved more than PhP200 million in the purchase of Pneumococcal Conjugal Vaccine 10 or PCV-10, a type of vaccine against pneumonia.

Ona made this explanation in his sworn affidavit submitted on Wednesday before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with the controversy he is facing on the issue of the purchase of vaccines against pneumonia.

According to Ona, a total of PhP231.72 million has been saved by the government in the purchase of the vaccines.

He said the government spent only PhP601.95 million for the PCV-10 compared with the PhP833.67 million cost of PCV-13.

Ona added that the number of beneficiaries under the PCV-10 also increased.

From the original target of 300,000 beneficiaries, some 432,000 infants were injected with the PCV-10, he said.

Ona argued that as the head of the National Drug Policy Office, his decision to issue a “Certificate of Provisional Exemption” for the PCV-10 was justified.

He said that the PCV-10 was cheaper by USD1 compared to PCV-13.