Members of the Healthcare Professionals Alliance Against COVID-19 (HPAAC) joined other doctors and other pharmacists who opposed the use of anti-parasitic drug for prevention and treatment of coronavirus.
In a joint statement Wednesday night, May 6, HPAAC said claims by supporters that Ivermectin is effective and safe from side effects remain based on "low quality evidence."
Citing a report by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), HPAAC reiterated that "there is no strong, conclusive evidence to recommend Ivermectin" to COVID-19 patients.
In April, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted special permits to six hospitals to use the anti-parasitic drug on COVID-19 patients.
However, according to HPAAC, the permit "does not include the distribution of said medication outside of these hospitals."
This after Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor and Sagip Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta distributed Ivermectin capsules to residents of Quezon City last week.
HPAAC supported the Philippine Pharmacists Association's (PPhA) call for FDA and the Department of Health (DOH) to investigate the dissemination of Ivermectin to the public.
They also urged the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to investigate physicians who also took part in the event.
"As of this time, Ivermectin cannot be recommended for prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Since the FDA regulatory processes have not been followed, there is no guarantee that the Ivermectin medications going around are safe of standard human grade quality," they added.
HPAAC reminded the public to follow the science-based prevention against COVID-19: APAT DAPAT (Air circulation, Physical distancing, Always wear mask and face shield, and Timing of interaction of 15 minutes).
The statement was signed by 41 members, including the Philippine College of Physicians, Philippine HEART Association, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Dermatological Society, and Philippine Pharmacists Association.
HPAAC is an alliance of over 160 professional societies of Filipino health professionals.