The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday reminded the public that dexamethasone cannot be used by just any COVID-19 patient.
“Kami po ay nababahala kaya nais pong linawin ng kagawaran na hindi po ito lunas sa COVID-19. Nais din po naming magbigay ng babala sa unregulated use o paggamit ng gamot na ito (We are alarmed, that’s why we want to clarify that this is not a cure for COVID-19. We want to warn against the unregulated use or administration of this medicine),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire cautioned.
Vergeire disclosed it is yet to undergo peer review process to assure its efficacy and safety. Dexamethasone is intended to be part of supportive care and administered on critical patients, especially those on ventilators.
Vergeire also cautioned the public against buying and hoarding the medicine for self-medication. She reiterated that the best way of protection while there is no cure is to wear masks, regular hand washing, proper cough etiquette and social distancing.
Recently, scientists from the United Kingdom said they had a major breakthrough amid the continuous search to find cure for the COVID-19. Studies by Oxford University’s recovery trial showed how the low-cost dexamethasone reduced the number of deaths by up to one-third among COVID-19 patients with severe infection.
The UK government has considered it as the first drug to reduce mortality from COVID-19, and added that it is an inexpensive and widely available medicine.
Meanwhile, the health department announced the total count of confirmed COVID-19 cases is now at 27,238 after 342 fresh cases and 115 late cases were reported. It also logged 268 more recoveries, bringing the total to 6,820. The death toll increased to 1,108 with five patients succumbing to the disease.
