Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 10) — The government has no plans of conducting a clinical trial to determine if the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin works against COVID-19 as there are dozens of similar studies either completed or being conducted in other parts of the world, the Department of Science and Technology said Friday.
“(With) almost 20 completed and 40 ongoing clinical trials around the world as reported in clinicaltrials.gov exploring the use of Ivermectin formulations against COVID-19, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is of the position that there is no need to conduct another clinical trial in the Philippines,” the agency said in a statement.
What is “appropriate” is to await the findings of these studies, it added.
House lawmakers earlier pushed for the conduct of a clinical trial, citing positive anecdotal reports from people who have taken the drug.
A few days ago, the Food and Drug Administration granted a hospital’s request for a compassionate special permit (CSP) to use ivermectin against COVID-19. The FDA did not identify the hospital. The regulator earlier said oral ivermectin products are only approved for use on animals to prevent heartworm disease and treat infections caused by parasites. The FDA-approved ivermectin products for human use are topical intended for the treatment of parasitic infestations such as head lice and other skin conditions. It is a prescription drug.
The FDA can be held liable for issuing CSP to one hospital so it can use the drug against coronavirus, former Health Secretary now Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin warned Friday.
She said most of the prerequisites for the CSP “have not been complied with.” She added the FDA was “pressured” to approve the CSP application amid a strong lobby for its approval. FDA Director General Eric Domingo denied the allegation and maintained the agency abides by rules and regulations.
Some House legislators, including Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor, pushed for the use of the anti-parasitic drug against COVID-19 despite warnings from international and local health experts and the lack of scientific basis.
