The third phase of clinical trials on the use of ivermectin as an alternative treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 cases is expected to start this month, a health expert said.
Philippine Council of Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST – PCHRD) Executive Director Dr. Jaime Montoya said in a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday (Sept. 6) that the Ethics and Technical Review Board is about to finish their review on protocols before allowing the start of phase three of ivermectin as an alternative treatment here.
Montoya said that the target date of the trial is on Sept. 15. Earlier, the DOST said the trials would begin in June, and are expected to run for eight months.
According to Montoya, the Philippines, as part of the International Clinical Trials Consortium, is among other participating nations that need to conduct trials for the use of the therapeutic drug.
“Tayo ay kasama sa International Clinical Trials Consortium, so alam ng ibang bansa kung ano ang ginagawa natin. At base po sa rekomendasyon ng malalaking grupo, katulad ng World Health Organization, National Institute of Health, at saka Centers for Disease Control, sinasabi pa nila at sumusuporta sa patuloy na pag-aaral tungkol sa ivermectin,” Montoya said.
Montoya also explained that the study is important to determine whether ivermectin is indeed effective in treating Filipinos who succumbed to COVID-19. – Report from Louisa Erispe / CF – rir
