Zuellig Pharma responds

Zuellig Pharma Corporation would like to respond to the column of Mr. Andrew Masigan entitled “Profiteering from the pandemic?” that appeared in the March 10, 2021 issue of The Philippine STAR.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zuellig Pharma has been among the many private corporations that have supported the Philippine government in managing this national health emergency. As preparations for the availability of vaccines were initiated, the company shared with the government’s National Task Force its decades-long experience in handling vaccines and other pharmaceuticals in line with global best practices.

Zuellig Pharma’s pricing for services to the public and private sectors is consistent, with slight variances only to account for differences in individual requirements. The company’s bid to the government for the handling of 20 million (not 140 million) vaccine doses was P999 M, i.e. P49.95 per dose, which is at par with the $1.04 (approximately P50) quoted for the ICTSI Foundation. With this price, Zuellig Pharma delivers an end-to-end solution which includes custom clearance, transport, receiving, storage, order processing, verification, inventory and allocation tracking, security and delivery to the vaccination centers nationwide. In addition, the company provides a digital solution to track and manage vaccine doses from arrival up to actual vaccination, including the recording of adverse events (such as so-called “temperature excursions”).

Throughout all these activities and responsibilities, the company carries the full inventory and insurance risk. COVID-19 vaccines are classified as high-risk products, requiring special handling and security whilst in transit.

Zuellig Pharma has a long and proven track record of ensuring stability, quality and good governance in the supply of health care products. Over the years, the company has managed to bring down the cost of distribution of pharmaceuticals in the Philippines, while adhering to the highest global quality standards of pharma-grade supply chain integrity. Zuellig Pharma is committed to ensuring patient safety and improving health outcomes through accessibility of health care products. The management and staff are guided by these values in all their efforts to assist and serve suppliers, customers, patients and endusers during the present health crisis. – Marie Jannette A. Jakosalem, Chief Business Officer