The House of Representatives will conduct an inquiry into the position of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against the use of Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug for animals, for the treatment of severe COVID-19 cases.
Quezon 4th District representative and Health Committee chair Rep. Angelina “Helen” Tan” said on Monday, March 29, that House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has authorized her panel to conduct the hearing on March 30, Tuesday, to tackle, among others, the move of the FDA to prevent the use of Ivermectin despite its "potential and promise" as a drug treatment for the coronavirus.
“The Committee on Health will hold a virtual public hearing on Tuesday because we want to know what causes the skyrocketing spike in cases, we want to know the status of the government’s contact tracing efforts, and we want to know what treatments are available out there so we can save as many patients as possible from this deadly disease,” said Tan, who is a medical doctor.
The panel will be taking up 1-PACMAN Party Rep. Enrico Pineda’s House Resolution No. 1684 wherein he sought an explanation from the FDA on its decision to prohibit the use of Ivermectin.
Pineda, in his resolution filed last March 25, also called on Congress to enact regulations that would ensure that the FDA and the Department of Health (DOH) would consider all possible cures for COVID-19.
According to Pineda, Ivermectin was found to reduce the effects of COVID-19 on infected patients when used with vitamins and supplements, based on clinical trials conducted in other countries.
“While we understand the prudence being exercised by the FDA, this is quite an unprecedented international health emergency,” Pineda said.
“There are actual studies and publications endorsing the effectivity of Ivermectin as treatment for those infected by the COVID-19 virus. Perhaps we should do more exhaustive studies before dismissing what could potentially be a life-saving drug,” he stressed.
He also claimed that Ivermectin has shown "so much potential" and is now being used in India, South Africa and Latin American countries as part of its COVID-19 treatment and prevention.
The DOH and FDA earlier warned against the use of Ivermectin for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 in humans saying it is hounded by uncertainties and no proven study that it can really address SARS-COV-2.
DOH Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire said that even the manufacturers of the drug do not recommend the drug for the coronavirus.
The DOH warned that the names of doctors who will prescribe the use of Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 infection would be immediately submitted to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
“If found guilty, these doctors run the risk of getting their licenses revoked,” the DOH said in a statement.