The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that there is still not enough evidence to recommend the use of anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin for treatment of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
DOST Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said there are currently more than 50 clinical trials worldwide for the use of Ivermectin as possible treatment against COVID-19.
“Ang problema natin, walang solid na conclusion, merong nagsasabi na okay siya, merong nagsasabi na hindi siya okay (Our problem is, there is no solid conclusion. Some say it is okay, some say it is not),” Guevarra said in a public briefing Tuesday, May 25.
In the Philippines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the limited use of Ivermectin under the conditions of a compassionate special permit.
“Sabi ng Philippine COVID-19 Living Clinical Practice Guidelines na nagsusuri ng current evidence sa Pilipinas at sa buong mundo, hindi pa rin sapat ang datos para mai-rekomenda ang paggamit ng Ivermectin bilang gamot sa mga pasyente na may mild to moderate COVID-19 (The Philippine COVID-19 Living Clinical Practice Guidelines, which examines current evidence in the Philippines and around the world, says there is still insufficient data to recommend the use of Ivermectin as a drug in patients with mild to moderate COVID-19,” she said.
“Hindi rin nila nire-rekomenda ang paggamit ng Ivermectin para sa mga may severe COVID-19 o ang paggamit ng Ivermectin kasama ang doxycycline para gamutin ang mga may COVID-19 (They also do not recommend the use of Ivermectin for those with severe COVID-19 or the use of Ivermectin along with doxycycline to treat those with COVID-19),” she added.
The DOST and the Department of Health (DOH) will conduct clinical trials on Ivermectin for mild to moderate COVID-19 cases to determine what are its effects of the drug.
Earlier this month, the FDA has approved the use of Ivermectin for humans as an “anti-nematode” after local pharmaceutical firm Lloyd Laboratories Inc. applied for a certificate of product registration (CSP) for the drug.