The Department of Health (DOH) said only drugs registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may be prescribed by licensed doctors.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said this when asked if it is illegal for doctors to prescribe Ivermectin.
"We have laws in the Philippines stating that only drugs registered with the FDA can be prescribed by licensed doctors," she said in a virtual forum Wednesday, April 14.
"So, if a drug is unregistered and prescribed by a doctor, we can consider that as an illegal activity," added Vergeire.
In a Laging Handa public briefing, FDA Director General Eric Domingo explained that the compassionate special permit (CSP) it issued to a hospital is not considered as product registration for Ivermectin.
"It is only particular for the use of that hospital. Provisions of the CSP are very clear on that," he said.
"This means that only doctors from that hospital may prescribe it to their patients also from that hospital," Domingo added.
The only registered Ivermectin products in the Philippines are for veterinary use.