House to probe use of anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives is set to conduct an inquiry into the use of anti-parasitic drug called Ivermectin—which was made for and intended for use on animals—for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infections.

House committee on health chairperson Angelina Tan said that the hearing will happen on Tuesday, March 30.

“We want to know what treatments are available out there so we can save as many patients as possible from this deadly disease,” Tan, a medical doctor by profession, said in a statement.

1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Enrico Pineda earlier filed House Resolution No. 1684 which called for the said inquiry.

In the resolution, Pineda claimed that the drug “has been shown to reduce the effects of COVID-19 in infected patients, when used with vitamins and supplements and has been the subject of several successful clinical trials around the world.”

“Ivermectin as treatment and prevention for COVID-19 should be looked into and eventually allowed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and that production of the same drug should be allowed for human consumption,” Pineda said.

The Department of Health earlier warned doctors prescribing Ivermectin as COVID-19 cure may risk losing their Professional Regulation Commission license.

According to DOH, the registered Ivermectin veterinary products are only approved for use in the prevention of heartworm disease and treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species.

“Ivermectin is NOT APPROVED by the FDA for treatment of any viral infection. Any use of Ivermectin veterinary products for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 should be avoided,” DOH earlier said.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo also echoed DOH’s caution that registered Ivermectin products, an anti-parasitic drug, are only so far approved for use in animals.

Nonetheless on Monday, Domingo said doctors and hospitals who want to use Ivermectin to treat symptoms of COVID-19 may apply for a Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) before the FDA.

JE