Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Commission on Audit (COA) found that the Philippines’ sole antivenom producer failed to meet thousands of requests from hospitals treating snakebite patients, despite the facility exceeding its annual production target.In its latest audit report, the COA revealed that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine produced 3,164 ampoules of Purified Cobra Antivenom Vaccine, surpassing its 3,000-ampoule target in 2024.However, only 3,243 of 4,657 requests were approved, and 1,825 ampoules were distributed, while 1,356 requests were unfulfilled.“Of the total unfulfilled balance of 1,356 ampoules, 31 requisitioners from various regions with a total of 660 requested quantity were not allocated a single ampoule throughout the year. The non-allocation implies that the current quantity produced is not enough and that the allocation process is not effective and efficient to cater the current demand,” the report read.The audit body said the RITM requires upgraded equipment for more efficient processing of horse plasma used in antivenom production, a process wherein a controlled dose of venom is injected into the animal so it can produce antibodies that are later collected through blood extraction.It added that RITM should revise its guidelines to prioritize antivenom distribution based on the number of snakebite cases rather than snakebite deaths.“PCAV was made as a preventive measure to avoid snakebite death. It is also inaccurate to use snakebite deaths in the prioritization/allocation criteria instead of using snakebite incidences. This is because snakebite incidences and not snakebite deaths would better reflect the consumption of antivenom. The higher the snakebite cases, the higher the quantity needed,” state auditors said.In the Philippines, 13,377 venomous snakebite cases were reported in 2022, which resulted in 550 deaths, according to a study by National Center for Biotechnology Information.The RITM, through its Biologicals Manufacturing Division, said it plans to increase antivenom output by raising the number of horses and acquiring new farmland for production and testing facilities.

The Commission on Audit (COA) said the RITM requires upgraded equipment for more efficient processing of horse plasma used in antivenom production.

The Commission on Audit (COA) said the RITM requires upgraded equipment for more efficient processing of horse plasma used in antivenom production.

COA: Thousands of antivenom requests unmet despite RITM exceeding production goal

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COA: Thousands of antivenom requests unmet despite RITM exceeding production goal

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 11, 2025 06:29 PM PHT

Read More:

snake bites

DOH

antivenom

RITM

COA

Commission on Audit

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

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