Senator Imee Marcos joined on Tuesday, April 13, calls for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow the use of Ivermectin as a cure for novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
(Senate of the Philippines / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Marcos said FDA should now give Ivermectin an emergency use authorization (EUA), citing claims that it was a big help to those found COVID-19 positive. She also echoed statements that it is cheap at P35 per capsule.
"Sana bigyan na ng (I hope the FDA grants an) emergency use permit. Kasi itong compassionate na binibgay sa iilang hospital, nagkakaroon pa ng intriga (Because this compassionate use approval given to a few hospitals just fans intrigues)," she said in an interview with CNN Philippines.
‘’Let’s make life easy for everyone. Pwedeng emergency use, huwag lang commercial (It can be for emergency use, just not commercial),’’ she added, stressing that the country lacks COVID-19 vaccines.
Some members of the House of Representatives have been promoting the use of Ivermectin, saying they have taken the drug themselves.
Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile also confirmed in the radio interview Tuesday having taken Ivermectin, too; saying he is okay after taking the anti-parasitic drug.
The FDA, however, has not authorized yet use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment or prevention, citing the lack of studies proving its efficacy as an anti-viral drug. The agency, however, allows its compounding in authorized pharmacies and recently, the compassionate use in one hospital.
Ivermectin is widely used for animals at present. At the FDA, it is also registered as a topical medicine for external parasites for human.
A member of the House of Representatives echoed statements from health experts that the ingestion of Ivermectin might cause brain damage.