DOH, Unilab sign anti-bird flu pact

The Department of Health (DOH) and United Laboratories Inc. (Unilab) yesterday entered into a memorandum of agreement through which the drug company will provide $1.25 million worth of oseltamivir, an anti-avian influenza drug, for free.

Unilab’s donation of the drug, enough to treat about 50,000 people, will form part of the country’s stockpile as it braces for a possible outbreak of the virulent H5N1 bird flu strain, said Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

President Arroyo witnessed the signing of the agreement between Duque and Unilab president and chief executive officer Carlos Ejercito in simple ceremonies at the Malacañang ceremonial hall.

"Thank you to Unilab on behalf of the 50,000 Filipinos who will be protected from the avian flu. Thank you for your commitment to produce more donations as the active ingredient becomes available," the President said after the agreement was signed.

She said the Philippines is still bird flu-free and this initiative of the DOH and Unilab "is a big step in preparing the country" should the virus reach the Philippines. The virus mutates rapidly and bird flu epidemics have struck many countries around the world, according to the agreement.

All costs and expenses incidental to the procurement and importation of the raw materials and packaging, as well as the manufacture of the drug, will be shouldered by Unilab. The DOH will distribute oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, to government health workers, agricultural workers and other sectors that may need the capsules in case of an outbreak.

Duque said all measures will be taken to protect the drugs while in storage.

Apart from oseltamivir, Ejercito said Unilab is planning to distribute its Enervon vitamins for free to strengthen the estimated 105,000 poultry workers who are most at risk of contracting the illness, which comes from direct contract with infected birds.

Ejercito said there are 21 identified "bird flu hotspots" in the country, where some 48.5 million poultry farms are located. This figure does not include unregistered farms.

He said Unilab is prepared to manufacture more of the anti-viral drug, beyond its committed donation if necessary, without profiting from it.

"All drugs have expiration dates. In this case, three years. But I really hope that these would expire without us having to use it because it would mean that we remain free of bird flu in the next three years," Ejercito said.

Duque and Ejercito, however, said the capsules must be produced as soon as possible since "no one can tell" when the virus might enter the country.

Ejercito said Unilab officials already went to India to make a down payment on procurement of the ingredients for oseltamivir. He said deliveries from India will be made next year and the capsules could be made available as early as February or March.

Unilab’s donation is still far too low for the World Health Organization (WHO), which recommended that each country stockpile enough oseltamivir to treat 20 percent of the population.

"I don’t think any country can achieve that amount, maybe only two percent at most at this time because of the global shortage of the drug," Duque said.

Ejercito said Unilab is also trying to negotiate with other sources of raw materials for oseltamivir, like in China and Switzerland.

Duque said the government has ordered 10,000 doses of Tamiflu from Swiss manufacturer Roche through the WHO.

"We also have the assurance of the WHO that just in case there is an outbreak in the Philippines, they will give priority to our country. They also have a global stockpile and for Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific region, they will also have a regional stockpile," he said.

The first shipment from Roche was expected to arrive this month, but the company "is having extreme difficulty honoring its commitment," Duque said, adding that the company has been swamped with orders from many countries.

Duque has warned that "it’s just a matter of time" before the H5N1 strain hits the Philippines.

The disease has been ravaging poultry stocks across Asia since 2003 and has jumped to humans, killing at least 68, mostly in Vietnam and Thailand, according to the WHO.

Authorities fear that the virus could mutate into a form that passes easily from person to person, sparking a global flu pandemic.

The Philippines has banned imports of all domestic and wild birds and poultry products from countries affected by the disease.

Officials have tightened surveillance over 55 swamplands that draw migratory birds, and have been conducting regular blood tests on ducks and chickens in nearby areas.

The government also has banned hunting migratory birds, which could become disoriented and come into contact with local birds when shot at. — With AP