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Quezon Institute tapped as new site for 'tawa-tawa' clinical trial

Philippines | National

Quezon Institute tapped as new site for 'tawa-tawa' clinical trial

By Charissa Luci-Atienza

The Quezon Institute will serve as a “new study site” for clinical trial on the use of tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta) as an adjunctive treatment of mild to moderate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has disclosed.

Tawa tawa (PNA photo)

DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said a new batch of tawa-tawa capsules was due to be sent to Manila and Corazon Locsin Memorial Medical Center (CLMMC) in Negros Occidental on April 9.

"The Quezon Institute will likewise be a new study site because there are no more mild/moderate cases in PGH (Philippine General Hospital) as the later only treats severe cases,” he said, citing the report provided by DOST- Philippine Council for Research and Development (PCHRD) on the latest development of various coronavirus disease (COVID-19) ongoing research and development (R&D) projects that are being implemented by their partner research institutions.

"The project is also working on adding study center to Bacolod City quarantine sites.”

In late March, Dr. Philip Ian Padilla of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas relayed to de la Peña that the taw-tawa clinical trial is just starting.

He said the clinical trial for tawa-tawa has been slightly delayed “because of bureaucratic red tape.”

READ: https://mb.com.ph/2021/03/27/clinical-trial-for-tawa-tawa-as-adjunctive-covid-treatment-starts/

Tawa-tawa is known as a supplement for dengue.

In April last year, the DOST started looking into the effectiveness of certain herbal medicines against COVID-19 such as lagundi and taw-tawa.

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