The Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) urged Friday the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to make a clear stand on the use of anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"We were not given a go signal by the FDA to use Ivermectin as prophylaxis or cure against COVID-19 since it's still pending further studies. Hence, we cannot use it nor endorse it," said Dr. Esperanza Arias, City Health Department officer-in-charge.
“On the other hand, we cannot also stop the distribution since use of it against COVID has not been declared illegal as well," she added.
The QCHD received reports about the distribution of the drug to residents of Old Balara. A minimum of three capsules or tablets were received by each resident.
"The city government continues to stand by the science-backed recommendation that vaccine is still the safe and effective way of protecting people against COVID-19, together with the strict adherence to minimum health standards," said Arias.
The QCHD advised the residents to be cautious as Ivermectin has not yet been proven to be effective against COVID-19.