MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) has given the go-signal to Philippine hospitals to begin their clinical trials in search for possible treatment for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Sunday they have allowed some 20 hospitals to begin the trials if they already have stock of the off-label drugs used in the World Health Organization’s multi-country clinical trials.
“Ito’y magtatagal for months. Ang ating clinical trial ay pwede nang maumpisahan dahil nakuha na natin ang necessary clearances and we are good to go,” Vergeire said in an interview with DZMM.
“‘Nung Biyernes, tinitingnan po natin kung makakakuha na tayo ng gamot from different hospitals na pwedeng pagumpisahan,” she added.
Among the drugs that will be included in the trial, according to Vergeire, are remdesivir; lopinavir and ritonavir combined; two drugs plus interferon beta; and chloroquine.
Vergeire said that around 500 patients who were in critical stage of COVID-19 are expected to take part in the trial but they should have the consent of their relatives.
“Dapat may informed consent. Ibig sabihin, alam ng pasyente ‘yung ating ipapaliwanag sa kanila kung ano ang pwedeng maging epekto ng gamot. Ipapaliwanag din sa kanila kung ano yung mga posibilidad na pwedeng mangyari habang pinapainom sa kanila ang gamot na ito,” Vergeire said.
“Wala ngayong gamot na may ebidensiya na 100 percent magwo-work against COVID-19. Lahat pawang sinusubukan pa lamang,” she added.
Based on the latest count from DOH, there are 7,294 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. Of these figures, 792 have recovered and 494 have died./PN
