“Any person who is found to be participating in such a prohibited act may face up to ten years imprisonment and a fine not less than PHP50,000.”

The government warned the public against individuals and organizations offering unauthorized COVID-19 vaccines on Wednesday, March 17.

In a joint statement, the Department of Health (DOH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Task Force Against Covid-19 (NTF) reiterated that the emergency use authorization granted to any COVID-19 vaccine “is neither a marketing authorization nor a Certificate of Product Registration” which means the vaccines cannot be sold to or purchased by the public.

The agencies also warned those who will participate in the unlawful sale, purchase, and administration of COVID-19 vaccines.

Under the FDA Act of 2009, manufacture, importation, exportation, sale, offering for sale, distribution, transfer, non-consumer use, promotion, advertising, or sponsorship of any unregistered health product is also prohibited and will be penalized.

According to the joint statement, any person who is found to be participating in such a prohibited act may face, upon conviction, imprisonment ranging from one to 10 years or a fine not less than PHP50,000 but not more than PHP500,000.

“If the offender is a manufacturer, importer or distributor of the health product, the penalty is at least five years up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of at least PHP500,000 but not more than PHP5,000,000,” it added. 

“Furthermore, there will be an additional fine of one percent of the economic value or cost of the product or violation of PHP 1,000 whichever is higher, for each day of continuing violation.”

(Source: Philippine News Agency)