By Daniel Manalastas
The House Health Committee will be conducting an inquiry tomorrow into the national government’s COVID-19 response, and get updates on government mass testing, contact tracing, vaccination, isolation facilities, treatment, and other efforts.
Aside from these matters, they are also expected to tackle the possible use of ivermectin as treatment for COVID-19, despite warnings from the Department of Health (DOH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
House Health Committee Chairperson Angelina “Helen” Tan says they “want to know what causes the skyrocketing spike in cases” and “the status of the government’s contact tracing efforts…”
Tan, who is also a medical doctor, also wants to explore other possible treatments available.
“We want to know what treatments are available out there so we can save as many patients as possible from this deadly disease,” Tan said.
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has authorized Tan’s committee to conduct an inquiry.
Last March 25, 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda filed House Resolution No. 1684 requesting the FDA to explain its decision on ivermectin.
The DOH and FDA warned against the purchase and use of ivermectin which is considered a veterinary product at present and “only approved for use in the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species.”
Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, who tested positive for COVID-19 three weeks ago, claimed that he took ivermectin twice during his illness.
“During the course of my sickness, I took ivermectin twice within the span of 14 days along with multivitamins, Lin Hua for 7 days, zinc, and fish oil vitamin. I regularly take multivitamins and fish oil even without sickness,” he said.
Defensor said he is now COVID-19 negative but still under quarantine
