MANILA – The application for use of Ivermectin on treating humans against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been lodged before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement on Monday as he denied reports that President Rodrigo Duterte approved the use of the said drug on COVID patients.
“Ni-report po ni [FDA Director General Eric] Domingo na meron na pong nag-apply ngayon for compassionate use ng Ivermectin,” he said. “Antayin na lang po natin ang aksyon ng FDA.”
“Hindi po totoo ang mga ulat na ina-approve na ni Presidente ang paggamit ng Ivermectin para sa mga COVID-19 patients,” he added.
Meanwhile, World Health Organization’s representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe said there is no stringent clinical trial to prove the efficacy of Ivermectin on COVID-19.
“It has to be evaluated through clinical trials since, based on that initial study and the currently available data, it is not strong enough for us to advocate the use of Ivermectin for treatment of COVID or prevention of COVID,” he said.
The FDA previously warned against the use of Ivermectin on humans as the existing permit issued on the drug was for animals suffering from parasitic disease.
The compassionate use permit from FDA only allows legal administration of the drug in the country but it does not guarantee the drug’s safety and efficacy./PN
