Philippines plans suspension of foreign drug inspection approvals

With COVID-19 cases on the rise in the Philippines and around the world, the country’s regulatory authorities are considering temporarily suspending the practice of on-site foreign inspection of pharmaceuticals intended for sale in the country.

Under draft guidance released for public comment, manufacturers seeking approval of their products by the Philippines Food and Drug Administration would be required to submit evidence of inspection by a foreign drug regulatory authority for desktop review by the Philippines Good Manufacturing Practices inspectorate team.