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Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport dismissed reports it is holding up release of remdesivir shipments
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BOC-NAIA implements a minimum one-day clearance for processing and release of remdesivir and other COVID-19 shipments with complete import requirements
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A total of 42 shipments of remdesivir (180,000 vials) to date have been processed and released from March 2020
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A total of 15,879 shipments of PPE and 14 shipments of COVID-19 vaccines consisting of more than eight million vials/doses have also been been released to date
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) assured continuous processing and release of legally imported COVID-19 related shipments amid claims it is delaying the release of remdesivir shipments.
In a statement, BOC said the collection district of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is strictly implementing a minimum one-day clearance lead time for processing and release of remdesivir and other COVID-19 shipments with complete import requirements from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These requirements include the License to Operate, Certificate of Product Registration, and Special Use Authorization and/or Compassion Use Authorization.
Remdesivir is an investigational drug for COVID-19 that requires compassionate use permit from the FDA.
Based on records from BOC-NAIA, a total of 42 shipments of remdesivir (180,000 vials) have already been processed and released to date since March 2020.
In addition, BOC-NAIA has handled 15,879 personal protective equipment shipments and 14 shipments of COVID-19 vaccines consisting of more than eight million vials/doses.
BOC said it is coordinating with stakeholders and government agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Trade and Industry and FDA, among others, to further enhance existing processes to ensure immediate release of COVID-related shipments.
