Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — The head of the country’s drug trials for COVID-19 is appealing to patients suspected or confirmed to have the disease to participate in the trials spearheaded by the World Health Organization.
“Kapag kayo po ay na-admit dahil suspected kayo na may COVID-19 at ang inyong physician ay in-offer sa inyo na sumali sa clinical trial, sana po pumayag kayo,” Dr. Marissa Alejandria told CNN Philippines’ The Doctor is In on Monday.
[Translation: If you are admitted because you are suspected to have COVID-19 and your physician offers you to join in the clinical trial, I hope that you join.]
“Ito ang pagkakataon na makapag-contribute tayo sa science, sa kaalaman kung alin sa mga gamot na ito ang epektibo laban sa COVID-19,” she added.
[Translation: This is our chance to contribute to science, to knowledge as to which of these drugs is effective against COVID-19.]
Twenty countries, including the Philippines, are participating in the so-called solidarity trials, where four drug combinations are being used to see which ones are effective against the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
The trials are testing hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir, lopinavir with ritonavir, and lopinavir with interferon beta-1a — which all have shown promise against the new coronavirus in pre-clinical lab studies.
So far, Alejandria said there are 250 Filipinos enrolled in the clinical trial which involves over 20 hospitals, but local health officials want to bring the number of participants to 500.
The Department of Health announced on April 22 that the participation of the Philippines in the solidarity trial was approved by DOH’s Single Joint Research Ethics Board. The board reviews proposed studies to make sure they adhere to accepted ethical standards involving humans, and the approval gives the green light for testing to be conducted in human volunteers.
