Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Wednesday individuals who would volunteer for the COVID-19 vaccine trials in the country would receive compensation.
“Kung sila man ay sasali sa clinical trial, isang araw na mawawala sa kanilang trabaho o isang ina na nag-aalaga ng anak sa bahay, siyempre mauubos ang oras nila sa paglahok sa clinical trial,” Montoya said.
(If they participate in a clinical trial, if they would be absent in their job for a day or a mother who takes care of a child at home, of course, they will spend time participating in the clinical trial.)
“’Yan po ay tinawatag natin na compensation para doon sa oras na sila ay nandoon sa clinical trial … pati ‘yung pagkain kung kinakailangan at ‘yung transportation,” he added.
(That is what we call compensation for those who are there during the clinical trial, as well as the food if necessary and the transportation.)
The Philippines is set to join in various COVID-19 vaccine trials, such as in the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial.
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COVID-19 vaccine trials volunteer to be compensated – DOST
Montoya noted companies conducting trials could only give a small compensation to volunteers because it is unethical to offer an excessive amount of payment to attract subjects.
“’Yung mga trialist hindi puwedeng magbigay ng malalaking halaga. Bakit? Kasi baka ‘yung mga tao sumasali hindi dahil naintindihan nila kung ano ‘yung makukuha nila sa trial o boluntaryo nilang gagawin kundi ginagawa nila kasi may bayad at malaki,” he said.
(The trialists cannot give large sums of money. Why? Because maybe people are participating not because they understand what they will get in the trial or they will do it voluntarily, but they are doing it because it is paid.)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina Guevara earlier said the Philippines would have access to the COVID-19 vaccine trials by the fourth quarter of 2020.