The country’s eight month-long study on the use of anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin as a treatment for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is set to begin on Sept. 15, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Friday, Aug. 27.

DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development (R&D) Dr. Rowena Cristina Guevara said the data collection for the project, “Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy, Safety, and Effect on Viral Clearance of Ivermectin in Asymptomatic and Non-Severe COVID-19 Patients Confined in Isolation Facilities” will begin on Sept. 15.

“Data collection will start on September 15, 2021,” she told the Manila Bulletin.

She noted that the study sites have been identified, and that the project team from the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila- Philippine General Hospital (PGH), led by Dr. Aileen Wang is currently coordinating with the local government units (LGUs) which have jurisdiction over the identified quarantine facilities.

She said the quarantine facilities which have been identified as sites for the clinical trials in Metro Manila are Ateneo Quarantine Facility, La Salle Quarantine Facility, University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) and Makati Science High School Quarantine Facility.

A total of 1,464 asymptomatic and non-severe Filipino COVID-19 patients who are at least 18 years old will be involved in the study.

The study aims to provide data on the efficacy, safety, and effect on the viral clearance of Ivermectin among asymptomatic and non-severe Filipino patients

The project was initially eyed to be implemented by the first week of June this year to January 2022.

Guevara said the interim analysis report on the trials may be out by mid-December.

“The interim analysis reporting is on December 15, 2021,” she said.

The DOST had explained that the changes to clinical trial protocols have delayed the start of the study.

The government has allocated P22 million for the conduct of the Ivermectin clinical trials.