PSAC: 5 local manufacturers to produce anti-tuberculosis meds

MANILA, Philippines — Five local drug manufacturers are slated to produce anti-tuberculosis medicines, said the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Health Sector Group on Friday.

In 2022, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the Department of Health (DOH) to focus on addressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) infections.

READ: Marcos to DOH: Refocus drive on general public health, make HIV, TB fight a priority

“We are happy to say that five local drug manufacturers signed up to participate in the production of anti-TB medicines and to participate in national bids to be conducted by the DOH. In fact, I believe there was a bid last November and we are waiting for the results,” said PSAC Health Sector Group Lead Paolo Borromeo.

Borromeo is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ayala Healthcare Holdings, Inc.

READ: Consistent treatment crucial to ending TB 

The business tycoon said that in previous years, many local manufacturers had not participated in the bidding for the production of anti-TB medicines, but this changed under Marcos’ directive.

However, the PSAC said that while 24 manufacturers expressed interest in producing anti-TB medicines, there was only one that was interested in making HIV medicines.