This is it… the wheels of justice is
finally turning.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) Justice has indicted former Health Secretary Janette Garin and
four others of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide over deaths allegedly
caused by controversial anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia.
Former Health Secretary Janette Garin (photo credit to owner) |
The
following Department of Health officials and employees were also indicted
for the same charge:
- Dr. Vincente
Belizario Jr.
- Dr. Kenneth
Hartigan-Go
- Dr. Gerardo Bayugo
- Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy
- Dr. Irma Asuncion
- Dr. Julius
Lecciones
- Dr. Maria Joyce
Ducusin
- Dr. Rosalind
Vianzon
- Dr. Mario Baquilod
The
prosecution panel also indicted the following Sanofi Pasteur Inc. officials of
reckless imprudence resulting in homicide:
-
Carlito Realuyo
- Stanislas Camart
- Jean Louis
Grunwald
- Jean Francois
Vacherand
- Conchita Santos
- Jazel Anne Calvo
Also
facing indictment are Maria Lourdes Santiago and Melody Zamudio from the Food
and Drug Administration(FDA), and Research Institute for Tropical Medicine’s
(RITM) Dr. Socorro Lupisan and Dr. Maria Rosario Capeding.
The
DOJ however dismissed the criminal complaints against Health Secretary
Francisco Duque for insufficiency of evidence.
"The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarifies that the finding
of neglect against those who administered the immunization program using
Dengvaxia should not, in any way, be used to stoke public fear of
vaccination," the DOJ said in a statement adding that the decision
"reiterated the high degree of accountability and caution demanded of
those who adopt and implement policies and programs involving public
health,"
"Holding
to account those who neglect to discharge their duties to the public with
utmost caution and competence is the best deterrent against the repetition in
the future of the criminal neglect exhibited by respondents," the DOJ said
adding that "it is likewise the best assurance that all government health
programs -- immunization drives included -- will confirm to the highest
standards of safety and efficacy," the DOJ added.
The DOJ prosecutors cited a "dangerous
recklessness and lack of care or foresight as to the outcome of their
actions," adding that respondents "totally disregarded the identified
risks and adverse effects of the vaccine,"
As for Sanofi, the Prosecution faulted Sanofi
officials for failing to actively monitor and conduct close surveillance of
Dengvaxia recipients. It also faulted Sanofi officials for failure to extend
any medical assistance to victims or their families even after reports of serious
adverse reactions happened.
Dengvaxia was purchased when it was not even listed
in the Philippine National Drug Formulary (PNDF). Evidence would show that a purchase
request for the vaccine was made as early as January 2016. Actual purchase was
made in March 2016.
the Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality
Medicines Act of 2008 ( RA 9502) prohibits the government from
procuring drugs and medicines which are not included in the PNDF.
Meanwhile, Executive Order 49 s. 1993 requires Philippine
National Drug Formulary (PNDF) listing before drug purchases by the government
can be made, the DOJ prosecutors noted.
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