OBVIOUSLY exasperated over the proliferation of what has been widely promoted as COVID-19 cure, President Rodrigo Duterte has given the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) a marching order to track down and prosecute groups and individuals behind the illegal trading and distribution of a deworming medicine developed just for animals.
In a statement farmed out to the media, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that the President’s decision is the offshoot of an effort to “ensure the safety and welfare of the public and at the same time avoid any unnecessary conflicts” adding that the FDA now takes the lead in determining the course of action against the proliferation of unsanctioned trading and distribution of the veterinary medicine Ivermectin.
Roque likewise categorically dissuaded members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to conduct any operation on the illegal trade and distribution of Ivermectin unless accompanied by the designated deputies of the FDA.
“To ensure the safety and welfare of the public and at the same time avoid any unnecessary conflicts, the FDA has been directed to take the lead in determining the course of action against the illegal trading/dispensing of Ivermectin. PNP cannot arbitrarily determine on their own, which drug/s should not be on the market. All operations to apprehend or seize goods must be done in coordination with the FDA,” reads part of the statement.
The Palace spokesperson also took note of reports about groups re-packaging Ivermectin for veterinary use as human grade.
“The Palace further underscores what is being ordered to stop is the sale/trade of Ivermectin for veterinary use that has been repackaged as human grade, including those that have not been determined by competent authorities as safe to be used in humans,” Roque added.
He also called on the public to seriously consider the idea of seeking the advice of medical practitioners before taking medicines and/or supplements sold online and in the black market.
“The President is closely monitoring the developments concerning Ivermectin here and abroad. He has even directed the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to give him weekly updates on Ivermectin studies and FDA-related clearance,” ends Roque’s statement.
Interestingly, Roque did not mention anything about Anakalusugan partylist Rep. Mike Defensor’s distribution of Ivermectin in Quezon City a few weeks ago.
Aside from Defensor, several top political personalities, including Senate President Vicente Sotto III and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, have admitted using Ivermectin as preventive medicine
Duterte earlier gave the go signal to the Department of Science and Technology to commence clinical trial to determine the potential of the controversial animal deworming drug to cure COVID-19 infections despite warnings coming from the World Health Organization, the United States FDA, the European Medicine Agency, and even Ivermectin manufacturer, Merck, which unanimously claimed there is lack of data and evidence on its efficacy and benefits for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.
Health experts have also expressed concern over the drug’s risks and potential side effects such as hypotension or low blood pressure, allergic reactions, seizures, coma, and even death.