Clinical Trials for Ivermectin Urged by President Duterte

President Duterte has pushed for the anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin to go through clinical trials after it ignited debates on whether or not it was truly effective at combatting Covid-19.

The President recently directed the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to determine the drug in question’s efficacy and safety of use for Covid-19 patients.

“The President wanted to know if there is basis of said effectiveness of Ivermectin for Covid. Because if it is effective and affordable, why would it not be used [locally]. But it must be proven if it is safe and effective,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday in an online press briefing.

DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development will conduct the trial, according to Eric Domingo, Director General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Dr. Aileen Wang of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is also being considered to spearhead the study, said Science Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña.

The clinical trials may last for six months, but this projected period can be shortened if they are able to secure a large pool of volunteers. Funding will be provided by the Department of Health (DOH), while the study is expected to be done in a quarantine facility near PGH.

“Hopefully, once this trial is completed, we will have a reliable estimate on the effect of Ivermectin as an anti-viral agent,” said Dela Peña.

Prior to the urge of the President, both the DOST and FDA said that similar studies were already being done on Ivermectin eliminating the need for local clinical trials. They have since reevaluated their positions after the President tasked them to conduct the study.

Ivermectin is widely used to treat animals with parasites, but lawmakers, including incumbent Senate President Vicente Sotto III, have been pushing for its use. There is currently no data available to support the application of Ivermectin against Covid-19, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Source: Business Mirror