Philippines FDA OKs tocilizumab made by China firm Lizvon

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved for use in the Philippines the tocilizumab manufactured by Chinese firm Lizvon, FDA director general Eric Domingo said on Monday.

In President Rodrigo Duterte's Talk to the People, Domingo said he was hoping that there will be more supplies of the in-demand medicine for severe COVID-19 patients.

Tocilizumab had been in short supply over the past few weeks.

"Unang una po yung tocilizumab, nagkaroon ng bagong equivalent products na approved by FDA. Ito po yung tocilizumab na galing Livzon. Isa pong malaking factory sa China," Domingo said.

Aside from this, Domingo said their department also approved baricitinib brands Barinicix and Barinez. Baricitinib is another COVID-19 medicine.

"Mga similar din po ito mga equivalent na gamot na available na rin po sa atin na magamit sa ospital at maibenta sa botika," Domingo said.

So far, FDA approved 120 licensed medical grade oxygen manufacturers to supply hospitals nationwide. -NB, GMA News