The Department of Health (DOH) on Saturday clarified anew that dexamethasone is not a magic pill for COVID-19 amid reports that it could help in the treatment of the said disease.
“Ito po ay ginagamit para suportahan ang paggamot sa COVID-19. Pangalawa, ito po ay ginagamit lamang sa loob ng ospital (This is used as support treatment for COVID-19. Second, it is only used in hospitals),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized.
“Kailangan ng presciption ng doctor para makabili nito…Kailangan may guidance ng doctor para magamit ito (A doctor’s prescription is required to buy it… There must also be a doctor’s guidance to use it),” Vergeire continued.
Dexamethasone is meant to treat cerebral malaria and Vergeire explained that the study on the said drug must still undergo peer review process to finally accept its claims as cure for COVID-19.
The FDA earlier released a warning on online sellers of the said medicine.
Meanwhile, the DOH stood firm by its claim that it has not been hiding anything regarding its response to the pandemic since the start. Vergeire said they have been transparent in the delay the of data’s release.
