DOH cancels bidding for P4.9-B pediatric vaccine

The Department of Health (DOH) has postponed the bidding for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) to address concerns that procurement must be a competitive process.

In a bid bulletin issued on November 12, the DOH announced the postponement until further notice on the submission and opening of bids set on November 19 for the procurement of PCV-13 IB No. 2020-033.

The postponement was meant to give the government time to further review the technical specifications of the vaccines.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told GMA News Online he was informed by one of the Health undersecretaries of the postponement, saying the DOH will look into the issues raised by pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline.

“Yes. I was told by Usec. Myrna Cabotaje they will look into the issues raised by GSK,” the health chief noted.

The company declined to comment at this point other than saying, “GSK is expected to issue a statement at the right time.”

The postponement of the bidding for PCVs was an apparent move to heed to the clamor of medical experts and the public to review further the call for bidding.

In another statement, ACT – CIS partylist noted the DOH postponed the bidding as it was also “… initially participated in by a lone bidder.”

Speaking for the partylist, Representative Niña Taduran said an open competitive bidding procedure will give better options for the government in procuring the vaccines.

“We don’t want to have another rushed procurement of vaccines which could be a source of corruption. It is also vital to study the technical aspects of the procurement before proceeding with the purchase,” Taduran said.

The postponement of the tender opens the possibility to an open competitive tender that will give the Filipinos the power of choice.

Of the total budget for vaccines, P4.9 billion, or 70% of the total budget for the Expanded Program for Immunization in children, was for PCVs —which aim to guard against pneumococcal diseases, the largest cause of death for Filipino children under five.

In February 2019, the WHO reaffirmed its earlier position in 2017 that the two PCVs in the market are equally effective in preventing overall pneumococcal disease in children.

A review of the prevalent strains of pneumococcal diseases in the Philippines would help medical authorities determine the suitable type of vaccine needed as discussions among stakeholders if the PCV13 or PCV10 should be administered to children under five years old.

Both vaccine types have been found effective by the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to a position paper released by the World Health Organization early this year: “Both PCV10 and PCV13 have been shown to be safe and effective and to have both direct (in vaccinated individuals) and indirect (in unvaccinated individuals living in communities with vaccinated children) effects against pneumococcal disease caused by vaccine serotypes when used in a 3-dose schedule or in a 4-dose schedule.” —VDS, GMA News