Nangako si Food and Drug Administration Director General Samuel Zacate na lalabanan ang red tape sa ahensya.
Isusulong din ni Zacate ang innovations sa FDA bilang pagsuporta sa programa ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na maging accessible, maibaba ang presyo ng mga gamot sa bansa at magkaroon ng patas na kompetensya sa industriya ng pharmaceutical.
“The long culture of the FDA being on the safe side and being inside the box is long gone because I’m here now,” pahayag ni Zacate sa General Membership Meeting of the Philippine Chamber of Pharmaceutical Industry, Inc.
“I cannot let the President fail. So now, I am telling you, I am a man of innovation, I don’t want to be inside the box. I am not keen on the idea that we cannot do something (to a problem) because everything, especially with science, is possible,” pahayag ni Zacate.
Sinabi pa ni Zacate na ginagawan na ng paraan ng FDA na may sapat na suplay ng gamot sa bansa.
“As a physician, I did not realize that there would come a time when it would be hard for us to access medicines. During the height of the pandemic, we could not even get simple paracetamol or decongestant, which are usually readily available in pharmacies. So, I told the President that this is a problem,” pahayag ni Zacate.
“I always make sure to have plans but I know my limitations, that’s why I am asking you to bring up to me the problems you are encountering in the industry and we will meet halfway,” dagdag ni Zacate.
Mas magiging epektibo na aniya ngayon ang proseso ng registration ng mga gamot.
Sa ganitong paraan kasi aniya, tiyak na parehong makikinabang ang mga manufacturers at ang mga consumers.
“With regard to the FDA, they have stringent requirements and internal processes, but now I have the power to streamline the internal processes, mostly on payments, assessments, and rigid (regulatory) conditions. I will do it,” ayon kay Zacate.
“For example, in terms of the importation process, we will try to make it more efficient. There is an ongoing mechanism for registration, I am trying to improvise the Information Technology System of the Center for Drug Regulation and Research. There will come a time when importation will be streamlined,” ayon kay Zacate.