The Philippine Pharmacists Association, Inc. (PPhA) said while medicine can heal, it can also kill.
The group issued the statement in view of the mass distribution of Ivermectin in Quezon City.
"In the light of the recent mass distribution of Ivermectin, the PPhA strongly opposes the irrational dispensing of an unregistered drug and illegal compounding thereof," PPhA said in a statement Friday, April 30.
It added that medicines are developed, manufactured, prescribed, compounded, and dispensed based on sound, scientific and evidence-based professional judgement.
"Medicines prescribed by a physician after careful evaluation of a patient should be based on scientific evidence," PPhA said.
It stressed that not all medicines are for general use of the public.
"These prescription medicines shall only be compounded and/or dispensed by a pharmacist in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) registered pharmaceutical establishment," said PPhA.
The group said close monitoring of the patient must be strictly ensured and documented by the prescribing physician and the dispensing pharmacist.
PPhA also reiterated the importance of a valid prescription prior to compounding and/or dispensing of a medicine from FDA registered pharmaceutical establishment and the patient is well-informed on the benefits and risks associated with the medicine prescribed.
It said an invalid prescription must not be served.
It added that a waiver signed by a patient cannot exonerate the prescriber or the pharmacist from the accountability in case diverse drug reaction.
"We remind all stakeholders that dispensing of medicines, whether it is compounded, FDA-Registered or under compassionate special permit (CSP) must be done under
direct and immediate supervision of a pharmacist," said PPhA.
The group said they are not against the use of Ivermectin per se, "but in doing so, our utmost concern lies on the patient safety and compliance with law."
PPhA appealed to the public to wait for the results of the clinical trials that are ongoing for the safe and effective use of Ivermectin in the management of COVID-19.
The group then called on the FDA, the DOH, and other concerned agencies to act on the matter swiftly and decisively.
"The law is enacted for the best interest of the patients. Disregard of the law should not be condoned, as such careless act may put the health of the public to unnecessary risks," PPhA said.