Pharma firm ready to supply Philippines with bird flu vaccine

MANILA, Philippines — Global pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim Philippines Inc. has given assurance that it is ready to supply the local poultry industry with a vaccine against bird flu as soon as it secures the necessary regulatory approval.

The Germany-based multinational firm is hopeful that its bird flu vaccine application for commercial use will be approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to Raul Senedrin II, chief of Boehringer Ingelheim’s poultry business segment.

The firm’s bird flu vaccine is recommended by the Bureau of Animal Industry for FDA approval, according to officials of the Department of Agriculture.

“Boehringer Ingelheim is committed to addressing the disease concerns. We know how big of a concern it is if a farm or a flock has been affected with bird flu,” Senedrin told The STAR over the weekend. “It poses risk not only to the farm but also to human and public health.”

He said that vaccination complements biosecurity measures and surveillance activities meant to control and combat bird flu.

The price of Boehringer Ingelheim’s bird flu vaccine will depend on factors such as market conditions and distribution channels.