Vaccine experts review 'Sputnik V' papers for potential clinical trial in PH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 28) — The country's vaccine research panel is studying Russia's report on its coronavirus vaccine "Sputnik V" to determine if it's safe to test out on Filipinos.

The executive director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, Dr. Jaime Montoya, on Friday said they have received the detailed report on the first two phases of clinical trial.

The panel will thoroughly review the documents on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine before the Philippines can move a step closer to holding the Phase 3 in the country.

"They will be releasing their evaluation hopefully by next week," Montoya said in a text message.

Health spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire added the Philippines has yet to finalize several legal documents for the trial, such as the confidentiality disclosure agreements.

The Food and Drug Administration's go-signal is needed to hold the human research trial in the country.

Once the conduct of the clinical trial is approved, around 1,000 healthy participants from the Philippines are set to join the Phase 3. This critical stage is where thousands of patients are vaccinated to test the drug's safety and efficacy. The completion of this stage is required before the FDA reviews the vaccine for mass rollout.

CNN Philippines correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report.