MANILA – A hospital has been granted a permit for compassionate use of Ivermectin against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) said.
“Na-grant na iyong special permit for compassionate use [of Ivermectin] kasi alam naman namin na investigational product ito against COVID-19. May isang ospital na nag-apply for compassionate use at na-grant na nga ng araw na ito,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Thursday.
However, he stressed that the compassionate use permit only allows legal administration of the drug but not an endorsement of its safety and efficacy from FDA.
The permit is different from pending application of two local manufacturers seeking for certificate of product registration for the anti-parasitic drug.
Several senators and congressmen urged the FDA to issue a compassionate use permit on the drug.
The FDA maintained that it should be registered first before prescribing it to humans since it was registered for use on animals.
Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor previously announced he will distribute Ivermectin to treat patients infected with COVID-19 in Quezon City sans FDA certification./PN
