Rappler's latest stories on Food and Drug Administration
Patients in need of remdesivir can get special FDA permits
Currently, the Philippines only administers remdesivir to hospitalized patients with severe cases of coronavirus
FDA warns public vs drugs, vaccines with unproven coronavirus treatment
The Food and Drugs Administration says 'there are no registered drugs or vaccines that are licensed specifically for use in COVID-19 treatment or prevention'

FDA approves 5 coronavirus rapid test kits
But the Food and Drug Administration says swabs would still be taken from patients for confirmatory testing, as rapid test kits 'measure antibodies and not the viral load itself'

FDA approves 4 coronavirus test kit products for commercial use
The Department of Health clarifies that the test kits can only be used by hospitals or laboratories with testing capacity

FDA now lets doctors issue electronic prescriptions
FDA Director General Eric Domingo says this will allow people vulnerable to COVID-19 to still access their medicines during the outbreak

FDA warns public vs unregistered coronavirus home test kits sold online
FDA officer-in-charge Eric Domingo says the Philippine government has not yet approved any home test kits for the novel coronavirus

PhilHealth to shoulder coronavirus test costs – Malacañang
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also says diagnostics company Manila Healthtek is developing a 'rapid test kist' to aid in testing for COVID-19

FDA approves coronavirus test kits developed by U.P. scientists
The Food and Drug Administration says the kits will be used for field testing and will help address the 'increasing number of reported COVID-19 cases' that 'require immediate diagnosis and monitoring'

Lambanog that killed 8 in Laguna tests positive for high levels of methanol
The samples contain 11.4% to 18.2% methanol, a toxic amount of the substance

DOH upholds permanent ban of Dengvaxia
(UPDATED) The ban makes it illegal to import, sell, or distribute Dengvaxia in the Philippines

Is the alcohol you're drinking registered with the FDA?
This is the extensive process a manufacturer must go through to apply for FDA approval

FDA finds 'high level of methanol' in Cosmic Carabao Gin samples
The Food and Drug Administration orders the seizure of all Cosmic Carabao Gin products in the market

'Stay safe': Netizens help warn public vs Cosmic Carabao Gin
(3rd UPDATE) 'Don't try something that can possibly cost you your life,' says one concerned netizen

Mercury found in smuggled whitening products in Mindanao
Some effects of mercury in skin whitening products, according to the World Health Organization, are discoloration and scarring, among others

FDA orders Shopee, Lazada to stop online sale of medicines
The Food and Drug Administration says the sale of drug products online places 'the lives of the general public in danger and at risk'

Datu Puti, Silver Swan free from synthetic acetic acid – PNRI
NutriAsia says that the Datu Puti and Silver Swan brands have always been subjected to testing since 2001

FDA: 5 vinegar brands found to contain synthetic acetic acid
The Food and Drug Administration says the manufacturing facilities of the vinegar brands will be inspected to verify the findings, and those found violating its standards and rules face 'regulatory action'

FDA orders recall of pork goods from countries with African swine fever
As part of measures to ensure the Philippines remains free of African swine fever, pork products from countries hit by the disease will be pulled off the shelves

Ex-FDA chief Puno denies corruption allegations
(UPDATED) 'I served as the Director General of the FDA for two years and 10 months with complete honesty, diligence, dedication, and loyalty,' says former Food and Drug Director General Nela Charade Puno

Duterte fires Food and Drug Administration chief Nela Charade Puno
(UPDATED) The letter terminating FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno says the move is part of President Rodrigo Duterte's crackdown on government corruption but does not provide details

Hog industry wants pork imports restricted to block African swine fever
Stakeholders question why there is plenty of buffer stock, saying that the Philippines should only import what it needs

FDA permanently revokes Dengvaxia's certificate of product registration
It will thus be illegal to import, sell, or distribute Dengvaxia in the Philippines

Alleged distributor of fake medicines arrested in Manila
P1.2 million worth of counterfeit medicines are also seized from the suspect, mostly versions of popular over-the-counter drugs

With mobile app, pharmacy logbooks to go digital by 2020
Information from the electronic Drug Safety System developed by startup mClinica may help authorities fight outbreaks and understand the underlying causes of diseases

'RH Bill Story' launch: Fight for reproductive rights continues
Marilen Dañguilan, a medical doctor trained in policymaking, launches her book 'The RH Bill Story: Contentions and Compromises'

DILG: Attack on FDA convoy shows talks with Sison 'futile'
'When you offer peace with your left hand but shoot with your right hand...that's the height of duplicity,' says DILG Officer-in-Charge Eduardo Año

FDA chief not target of ambush, says Camarines Sur top cop
'Hindi nila alam na andoon si FDA [chief]. Nagkataon lang na nando'n,' says Camarines Sur police chief Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Pawid

PNP: Someone may have leaked FDA chief's convoy route
'Either may nag-leak 'yan na may ganyang movement, lalong lalo na may VIP na involved,' says Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde

FDA chief's convoy ambushed in Camarines Sur
(UPDATED) At least 3 cops are killed and 3 others wounded, while Food and Drug Administration chief Nela Charade Puno is unharmed, police say

CA denies pro-life group's plea vs FDA
The Court of Appeals decision effectively lifts a TRO by the Supreme Court and paves the way for the implementation of the Reproductive Health Law

FDA seizes nearly P4M in unregistered products from Landers
The products seized by the Food and Drug Administration include chocolates, beverages, and toiletries

Why the Philippine FDA issued an alert vs some K-beauty products
The Food and Drug Administration says '12 of the 13 products are not notified with the FDA and are not allowed to be distributed in the country'

Duterte to PNP: Catch makers, sellers of fake medicines
(UPDATED) The Food and Drug Administration lauds Malacañang for cracking down on fake medicines

COA wants Ombudsman to probe FDA execs over security contract
Auditors note the FDA failed to set up a public bidding for the security service contract and continued paying the security company for their services

DOH to reorganize leadership after Dengvaxia mess
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III says the reorganization is meant to 'preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations and to prevent any potential undue influence on their findings'

Sanofi denies concealing Dengvaxia risks from Philippines
The dengue vaccine maker says it immediately issued the warning against Dengvaxia when it found out about the risks in November 2017

Ex-FDA drug regulation chief gave Sanofi special 'accommodation' for Dengvaxia
(UPDATED) Ex-Center for Drug Regulation and Research Benjamin Co received a USB directly from Sanofi when it gave a USB directly to him. This is not allowed under FDA rules

Sanofi knew Dengvaxia risks in 2015 but didn’t tell PH – FDA, physician
(UPDATED) Physician Anthony Leachon says it was 'repulsive' that Sanofi had 'concealed' to the Philippines the 4 risks of its vaccine the company identified as early as December 22, 2015

Weeping mothers say their kids got Dengvaxia without consent
'Dapat naman po bago kayo nagbitaw nang gano’n, humingi kayo ng pahintulot ng magulang... Masakit para sa isang magulang na mawalan ng anak,' says a mother of a now dead vaccinee in Muntinlupa

Garin grilled for taking over FDA while DOH chief
'If I was your lawyer, I’ll protect you right now. Because a few days later, you were off to Paris to talk to Sanofi,' Senator Richard Gordon tells ex-health chief Janette Garin on her self-appointment to the FDA

Belo employees 'confused and scared' by FDA, police during inspection
The inspection happens even as the Belo Medical Group says applications for the renewal of the registration of some of their products are pending with Food and Drug Administration

Malacanang on Benham Rise, Kuwait slams deployment ban, Manalo as OFW envoy | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon

Belo Medical Group may face charges over unregistered products – FDA
The Food and Drug Administration finds that Belo Medical Group is selling 11 skin care products without registration

[OPINION] Circling the wagons: The 'Doctors for Truth' and the Dengvaxia scandal
The distrust of experts stems from the fact that in the case of Dengvaxia, the experts have so spectacularly failed the people on a matter of public trust

'Why did Dengvaxia get FDA clearance without EU go signal?'
A physician-turned-legislator questions why the now-controversial vaccine got a go-signal in the Philippines in the first place

After Dengvaxia mess, Duque wants more independence for FDA, RITM
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III wants the FDA to be independent from the DOH, and the RITM to be free from the influence of pharmaceutical companies

DOH won’t file cases over Dengvaxia issue, will focus on kids’ safety
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III leaves it up the DOJ, the NBI, and non-governmental groups to go after Aquino administration officials and Sanofi Pasteur

Dengvaxia sale suspended, Marina chief fired, Trump slams Bannon | Evening wRap
Watch the evening newscast with Marguerite de Leon

FDA suspends Dengvaxia sale for a year, fines Sanofi P100,000
(UPDATED) Sanofi is punished for failing to comply with post-marketing authorization requirements for its controversial dengue vaccine

Sanofi admits Dengvaxia doses imported into PH before contract
A lawmaker questions why the pharmaceutical company seemed 'certain all along' that it would get the contract from the Philippine government
