Duterte wants to hold Sanofi liable for Dengvaxia mess – Malacañang

Malacañang on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Duterte backs the decision of the Department of Health (DOH) to hold the French pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi Pasteur, accountable over the controversial Dengvaxia. (PCOO PHOTO)

Malacañang on Tuesday said that President Rodrigo Duterte backs the decision of the Department of Health (DOH) to hold the French pharmaceutical giant, Sanofi Pasteur, accountable over the controversial Dengvaxia.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said that the President supports the move of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III to bring back unutilized Dengvaxia vials and seek a refund for the P3.5-billion the government used as payment for the vaccines in 2016.

“He stands by the recommendation of the Department of Health (DOH) to hold Sanofi responsible,” Roque said in a press briefing.

“We want by bare of minimum a refund of what we have paid already for the Dengvaxia,” he added.

Roque added that Sanofi covered up important information; that its vaccine may worsen the disease on individuals who have not been previously infected by dengue and got vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

“That was not a known fact when government decided to embark on the vaccination program,” Roque stressed.

The government’s dengue vaccination program was launched in April 2016 by former Health Secretary Janette Garin. This program aims to provide free vaccines to chosen public students aged nine and above in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.

Since then, at least 830,000 children have been administered the first dose of Dengvaxia, according to the DOH.

The program was called off after the French manufacturer disclosed the information about the dangerous dengue vaccine.

During the Senate probe on Dengvaxia on Monday, Sanofi Head for Asia Pacific Thomas Triomphe said there was no negligence on their part and insisted Dengvaxia is safe and effective, and that there are no deaths connected to the controversial dengue vaccine.

Triomphe clarified the information given on November 29 meant “persons who have not been infected with the dengue virus before have a 0.2% increased risk of getting traditional Dengue symptoms, such as fever, low platelet count, or nose or gum bleeding.”

Despite this, he said that the vaccine continues to be good, effective, and safe especially for those who have been infected with Dengue.

Both the House of the Representatives and the Justice Department are also looking into the said controversy.

Meanwhile, Roque said that Duterte vowed to run after all individuals who may have criminal culpability for the usage of Dengvaxia that put the lives of hundreds of thousands of school children at risk.

“He has promised that after investigation… has been or have been conducted both by the Senate and the Department of Justice… that he will run after all individuals who may have criminal culpability for this ‘no,” the Palace official said.

“Meanwhile, he stands by the recommendation of the DOH to hold Sanofi responsible,” he added.