MANILA (UPDATE)The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said Monday that the Philippines will conduct a clinical trial to determine the effectiveness of ivermectin against COVID-19.
The development contradicted a previous statement by the head of the department that such a process was not necessary, as there are already a number of other works.
DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said in a public briefing that he had an agreement on Saturday with Health Secretary Francisco Duque III that they would look for experts to handle the process.
Dr. Aileen Wang from the UP-PGH Department of Medicine is part of the study group, Dela Peña said.
“We hope that when this study is completed, we will have a more reliable estimate of the effect of ivermectin as an antiviral agent that can reduce the shedding of the virus in mild and moderate patients (COVID-19),” he said.
(We hope that the study will show more reliable estimates of the effects of ivermectin as an antiviral agent that will reduce the elimination of the virus in mild and moderate patients).
Dela Peña added that the effectiveness of the antiparasitic drug will also be seen during the hospitalization of coronavirus patients.
Just a week ago, the DOST secretary said it was not necessary to conduct a clinical trial with ivermectin, as it could “require a minimum of 6 months and extend into years” and there were 20 “almost completed” clinical trials. and 40 “ongoing” studies on its effectiveness in treating COVID-19 worldwide.
He added that the Philippine DOST Council for Health Research and Development “has taken the position that there is no need for another clinical trial in the Philippines, as most ongoing or clinical trials have already begun in 2020.”
“It would be appropriate to wait for the results of these studies, which have made significant progress in collecting data and performing intermediate analyzes,” said Dela Peña.
Last week, the Philippine Food and Drug Administration granted a second hospital a special permit to use ivermectin for its patients with COVID-19, acknowledging that there is some “pressure” to approve it.
The drug regulator explained that the special compassionate permit allows experimental or unregistered drugs for limited off-label use, but purchasing one does not mean that the drug is proven to be effective because it requires a clinical study.
The registered ivermectin products are intended exclusively for veterinary use and are intended only for the treatment of internal and external parasites, as well as for the prevention of heartworm diseases, the health department also said.
Unauthorized use of veterinary drugs could lead to brain damage and death, noted infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvana.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended against the use of ivermectin in patients with COVID-19, except in clinical trials, due to the lack of data demonstrating its benefits.
Meanwhile, Dela Peña said she is looking at other drugs, such as melatonin and methylprednisolone, as well as herbal treatments such as lagundi, tawa-tawa and virgin coconut oil.
Meanwhile, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said there are 88 vaccines in clinical development worldwide and another 184 in pre-studies.– With a report by Joyce Balancio, ABS-CBN News
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