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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Wait for Ivermectin clinical trial results vs COVID-19 — doctors' group

Wait for Ivermectin clinical trial results vs COVID-19 — doctors' group

Published Apr 30, 2021 11:22 am

The Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) maintained that people should wait for the results of the clinical trials of the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin before it can be used for the treatment of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Philippine College of Physicians (PCP)

PCP Vice President Dr. Maricar Limpin warned that taking the drug despite the lack of evidence to support claims that it is supposedly effective against COVID-19 will only give people false security.

“Ang aming posisyon diyan (Our position in that) is we still have to wait for the results of the clinical trials because that will be our evidence on whether we can give it for COVID-19 or not,” Limpin said in a TeleRadyo interview Friday, April 30.

President Duterte has ordered the conduct of clinical trials in the country on the use of the drug as a potential treatment against COVID-19.

Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Michael Defensor and Sagip partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta led the distribution of free ivermectin tablets to several attendees at the Matandang Balara Barangay Hall Park in Quezon City on Thursday, April 30.

The lawmakers, together with some doctors, pushed through with the distribution of the drug despite the continuous warning from health officials that there is not enough evidence to support claims that the drug is effective against COVID-19.

“Sino ang hahabulin ng mga tao kung magkakaroon ng problema (Who should the people look for if there is a problem),” Limpin said.

The PCP official said that if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will allow such distribution, “they should also be held accountable.”

“And definitely, ‘yung dalawang congressman (those two congressmen) who are involved here kasi sila ang nag-initiate (because they initiated it), together with the doctors who are there,” Limpin said.

“They should be held accountable for whatever problems na maaaring mangyari (that might happen) because of that particular activity,” she added.

In an advisory, the FDA stressed that the only registered Ivermectin products in the country for human use are in topical formulation for the treatment of external parasites such as head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.

It added that the registered oral and intravenous preparations of Ivermectin are veterinary products, which are approved for use in animals for the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species.

The Department of Health have repeatedly warned that there is not enough proof that the drug is effective in the treatment against COVID-19.

It pointed out that Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines, has stated that there is no evidence that supports the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19, even as a preventive measure.

“We need to follow the right process. Hindi pupweding hindi tayo sumunod dun sa proseso (It is not acceptable not to follow the process). Otherwise, our life in the Philippines will be chaotic),” Limpin said.

“Kaya tayo nagkakaroon ng kaguluhan kasi nagkakanya-kanya tayo, at kanya-kanyang banat. Hindi ho pupweding ganoon (That's why we get into trouble because we do it on our own. You can't do that),” she added.

Related Tags

Philippine College of Physicians covid-19 clinical trials IVERMECTIN
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