MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health is likely to introduce an open bidding for pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) a ranking department official on Wednesday said.

Health Undersecretary Rolando Enrique Domingo said that, although the DOH bidding will be an open one for the said vaccines, the specifications for PCV matches only one brand but the others would be welcome to join in the bidding process.

“Ang mga specs para sa open competitive bid ay dapat na maging generic upang lahat ng brands ay maaaring makalahok,” Domingo said.

Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan, chair of the House Committee on Health, said that not only one supplier should be allowed to bid on the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs).

Tan’s statement follows the DOH’s recent suspension of bidding on PCVs amid fierce public clamor to make the bid open and competitive. Doctors and medical experts praised the DOH’s action because a bidding earlier focused on only one supplier. (Marian Sinamban/IAMIGO/CNS)