Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor is set to distribute free Ivermectin in Quezon City despite its lack of registration as an anti-COVID 19 medication with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Health (DOH).
According to Rep. Defensor, the steps he will take are based on the process or parameters made by the said agencies.
‘Yung ginagawa nating distribution, hindi naman parang candy na pinamimigay but there is a process we follow na magkakaroon ng actual prescription at compounding sa mga laboratories natin. Kaya lang dahil sa ganito medyo limitado ang ating nagagawa na Ivermectin products o capsules para itulong sa mga tao.”
[The distribution we are doing is not like giving away candy but there is a process we follow that will entail an actual prescription and compounding in our laboratories. However, because of this, the Ivermectin products or capsules we produce to help the people are limited].
The DOH disclosed that it has forwarded the plan of the lawmaker to the FDA Enforcement Unit.
FDA Director General Undersecretary Eric Domingo stated, “as long as it is done following medical guidelines on patient examination, prescription and dispensing of medicines then that is okay.”
Moreover, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque asserted that the public must wait for the “go signal” of the FDA before using Ivermectin as a drug against COVID-19.
Report from Daniel Manalastas/NGS-jbb
