The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned against the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 cases.
In PTV’s Laging Handa program, FDA Director General Undersecretary Eric Domingo said there has been various clinical trials on Ivermectin but there is no proven data so far that it can treat COVID 19 patients.
“Kaya hindi po natin maa-advise na panggamot for COVID-19 (so we cannot advise to use it in treating COVID-19)”, Domingo stated.
In the Philippines, Ivermectin is registered but only for animals.
“Kaya binabalaan po namin na huwag po tayong iinom ng gamot na para sa mga hayop. Kasi iba po ang dosage niyan, iba po ang quality niyan at hindi tayo nakasisigurado na ito ay aakma sa tao (We are warning you against taking medicines meant for animals. They have a different dosage, a different quality and we are not sure if they are fit for humans)”, Domingo warned.
An earlier advisory of the Department of Health indicated that Ivermectin veterinary products are only approved for the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species. It has not been approved by the FDA for treatment of any viral infection. – Allan Francisco
