MANILA, Philippines — Doctors and hospitals who want to use Ivermectin to treat symptoms of COVID-19 may apply for a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) before the Food and Drug Administration, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said Monday.
“Tinanong po ni [Health] Secretary [Francisco] Duque last week, puwede ba ang CSP for Ivermectin? Sabi ko puwede kasi investigational drug naman talaga ito for COVID-19,” Domingo said in a televised briefing.
(Secretary Duque asked me last week if the CSP can be issued for Ivermectin. I told him it is allowed since ivermectin is an investigational drug for COVID-19.)
Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)
“So kung gusto po ng kahit sino na doctor o hospital na gumamit ng isang gamot under compassionate special permit, then they have to apply po sa FDA at kailangan lang pong kumpleto ang requirements at of course, they take full responsibility for the product.So maaari po yun, basta sumunod lang po sa tamang proseso,” he added.
(If any doctor or hospital want to use a drug under compassionate special permit, then they have to apply before the FDA, complete the requirements and take full responsibility for the product. This is allowed as long as they undergo the right process.)
The Department of Health earlier warned doctors prescribing Ivermectin as COVID-19 cure may risk losing their Professional Regulation Commission license.
Domingo also echoed DOH’s caution that registered Ivermectin products, an anti-parasitic drug, are only so far approved for use in animals.
“Kung merong tinetake na Ivermectin, pakicheck po kasi hindi po ito registered sa FDA at we cannot guarantee of course the safety saka quality ng mga gamot na ito,” he said.
(If they are taking Ivermectin, please check because it is not registered with the FDA and we cannot guarantee the safety and quality of these drugs.)