By Noreen Jazul The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday bared the inclusion criteria for patients who can participate in the clinical trial of possible COVID-19 cures. Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire (PNA / MANILA BULLETIN) Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 500 patients who will participate in the Solidity Trial by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be chosen based on certain “qualifiers.” “Kailangan 18 years old and above and walang contradictions,” Vergerie told Unang Hirit. (They must be 18 years old and above and must have no contradictions.) “Wala silang pre-exisiting , tapos ang gamot na ay makakaapekto sa kanila, di po ‘yon ibibigay sa kanila,” she added. (If the patient has a pre-existing condition which can be adversely affected by the drug on trial, they won't be given that drug.) Most importantly, Vergerie said all patients who will participate must have informed consent. “Kailangan alam ng pasyente, na papayag siya 'don sa pamantayan na meron tayo para dito sa gamot na ibibigay sa kanila kung sila ay meron COVID-19,” she said. (The patient must agree to the terms and conditions set for the administering of medicines if they have COVID-19.) Twenty hospitals in the country will participate in the World Health Organization's Solidity Trial which will test the effectiveness of four drugs as a cure for COVID-19, namely antiviral Remdesivir, antimalarial drug Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV Lopinavir with Ritonavir, and Lopinavir with Ritonavirplus Interferon beta-1a.