Citing insufficiency of scientific evidence, the Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today reiterated that it does not recommend using ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, to help treat COVID-19.
The two agencies noted that they have always been consistent in their guidance to the public that up to now, ivermectin is not approved for COVID-19 treatment.
“We have said this many times before and we will say it again. We do not recommend the use of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as the benefits of this anti-parasitic drug for this purpose has not been established. President Rodrigo Duterte has also ordered DOST PCHRD (Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Health Research and Development) to conduct a clinical trial to test the efficacy of ivermectin against COVID-19, let’s wait for the results,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said.
However, investigational drugs for the treatment of COVID-19 may be used provided that all regulatory processes in place are strictly followed. Specifically, off-label use can be allowed under a compassionate special permit (CSP) or when it is compounded by a duly licensed pharmacy and properly dispensed by a pharmacist to a patient with a valid prescription.
There were reports of the distribution of ivermectin capsules in Quezon City, led by two lawmakers, and alleged invalid prescriptions were also given to individuals. The DOH assured that it will officially endorse the reports to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) to investigate the its veracity and impose sanctions as deemed necessary, based on existing laws.
The DOH and FDA further echoed the statements of various medical and pharmacist associations on the distributed prescriptions and strongly advised the public on what constitutes a valid prescription. According to the DOH, a valid prescription should contain the date of prescription, the patient’s name, age, and sex. Pertinent details about the prescribing physician should also be included such as name, office address, professional regulation number, and professional tax receipt number (if applicable).
The DOH and FDA also urged the public to be vigilant and assess any prescriptions provided to them, as these prescriptions will protect them and ensure accountability from the issuing professional. The agencies also called on those who received the prescriptions and the drugs to report any invalid prescriptions to the PRC, and any adverse reactions to the FDA at (02) 8809-5596 or [email protected].
Meanwhile, the DOH and FDA reiterated that it is not against the use of investigational drugs, but emphasized that in using products with unproven efficacies, the safety of every Filipino should take utmost precedence.
“While we recognize recent calls for its use, the positive effects of ivermectin have yet to be proven. Moreover, the danger of self-administering this drug is concerning, which is why we call on the public to refrain from self-medicating and indiscriminately using this potentially harmful product,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III reminded.