The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is working on streamlining government processes in relation to the issuance of permits for local vaccine manufacturers, particularly against the coronavirus.
ARTA director general Jeremiah Belgica has called for a meeting with concerned agencies to discuss the establishment of a green lane for faster processing of permit applications of local vaccine manufacturers.
He called on the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to help thresh out the streamlining processes.
“This effort to streamline processes is an attempt on our part to attract more local manufacturers to have their own facilities for vaccine manufacturing in the country,” he said.
He added that ARTA’s move is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to set up a green lane for local vaccine manufacturers in a bid to help the country produce its own jabs against COVID-19.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez earlier said that the green lane will accelerate the resolution of permit applications of local vaccine manufacturers provided they have submitted all necessary requirements to concerned agencies.
Given this premise, Belgica vowed to reduce red tape not only for vaccine efforts but also on all products essential to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“We will continue to monitor the Food and Drug Administration and all other agencies involved in the licensing and permitting processes. We clearly see the reason why we need to fast-track vaccine manufacturing in the country and other critical drugs and medications we need to have access to,” he said.
He reiterated that the FDA is one of the government agencies that ARTA is closely monitoring in this time of pandemic.
“As we always say, red tape can literally kill if we fail to expedite critical processes for critical activities. We all need to work together to facilitate faster processing of all transactions that are COVID-related,” he added.
