Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra on Tuesday, April 6, expressed confidence that Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Michael “Mike” Defensor will follow existing law on the distribution and use of medicines in the country.
“I am sure that as a lawmaker, Rep. Mike Defensor knows the FDA (Food and Drugs Authority) law very well and that he is very much aware of what acts are allowed,” Guevarra said.
His comment was sought on Defensor’s announcement that he would be giving away the animal drug Ivermectin to Quezon City residents to help prevent and treat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In his Facebook post last Monday, April 5, Defensor said his office will give the anti-parasitic drug for free to the residents while COVID-19 vaccines remain inaccessible to the public.
“Sagot ni Cong. Mike Defensor ang IVERMECTIN ninyo habang wala pa ang bakuna (Rep. Defensor will shoulder the cost of Invermectin while vaccines are no yet available),” he said.
He also said those who will get Ivermectin would be senior citizens and those who are sickly.
The FDA and the Department of Health (DOH) have warned against the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 since it has not been approved for the treatment of humans.
But some physicians have vouched for its efficacy and have been urging the government to make it available to COVID-19 patients who could not be admitted in hospitals that are already overcrowded.