The Department of Health (DOH) reiterated that there is still insufficient evidence to prove ivermectin’s effectiveness to treat COVID-19.
“As of the last report to me, there’s still no strong evidence to support the use of ivermectin either as treatment or prophylaxis,” DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said on June 9.
This is amid another ivermectin distribution event in Quezon City conducted by some lawmakers and physicians. Around 4,000 residents received the anti-parasitic drug.
“Ito ‘yung araw na para sa mga doktor, makapagbigay sila ng panawagan na maging malaya tayo sa COVID at maging malaya tayo sa pag-inom ng ivermectin,” Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor said.
“Ito’y tinatawag naming ‘medical mission’ bilang pagtulong na rin sa mga kababayan nating alam mong nasa mahihirap na lugar, sapagkat wala naman silang ikakaya talaga kung pag-uusapan ‘yung gastusin,” Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta said.
Duque earlier said he will communicate with doctors advocating ivermectin’s use, which the organization Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines described as a welcome development. – Report from Daniel Manalastas/AG-jlo#
