The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Monday night (April 19) said the Philippines will conduct its own clinical trial for the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19.
The six-month trial will be led by pulmonologist and researcher Dr. Aileen Wang of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Medicine. It will be conducted in quarantine facilities near the UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH). The Department of Health (DOH) has already allocated a budget for the program.
“Hopefully po, ‘pag natapos ‘yung trial na ‘yan ay magkaroon tayo ng mas reliable estimates ng epekto ng ivermectin bilang isang anti-viral agent na makapag-rereduce po ng virus sa shedding sa mga mild at moderate patients, at makikita natin ‘yung ivermectin doon sa haba ng hospitalization ng iba,” DOST Sec. Fortunato dela Peña reported to President Rodrigo Duterte.
[Hopefully, we can have more reliable estimates on the effect of ivermectin as an anti-viral agent in reducing viral shedding among mild and moderate cases, and we might see its impact on the length of hospitalization of others.]
According to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director-General Eric Domingo, it was the President who ordered a study on ivermectin.
“Kasi nga po, marami rin siyang naririnig at nababalitaan na may mga sumusuporta, at mayroon din namang mga siyentipiko na [sabi] kulang pa ang ebidensya,” Domingo said in the Laging Handa briefing on Tuesday.
[This is because he has learned that there are supporters of this drug and there were also scientists who say there is no sufficient proof yet.]
Meanwhile, the FDA denied allegations that it has been slow in approving the use of possible medicines for COVID-19, saying that there are processes to be followed before issuing an approval for certain drugs.
Two hospitals in the country have been granted a compassionate special permit for the use of ivermectin in treating COVID-19.
More under trial
Clinical trials are also being conducted for other possible treatments for COVID-19, including virgin coconut oil that is currently being tested on patients with severe symptoms. The clinical trial for lagundi is also expected to be completed within a month.
Dela Peña also reported that the clinical trials for health supplements for dengue fever such as tawa-tawa, methylprednisolone, and melatonin have been approved.
“Marami po tayong sinusubukan, hindi man bakuna ay makakapagpabilis po sa recovery kung sakali,” he said.
[We are testing many options, they may not be vaccines, but they might expedite recovery.] – Report from Patrick De Jesus/AG-jlo#
