House probes FDA ban on animal drug Ivermectin

The House of Representatives will conduct an inquiry on Tuesday on the decision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the use of animal drug Ivermectin against COVID-19. Quezon Rep. Angelina Helen Tan, chair of the House committee on health, said her committee would probe the regulation of the antiparasitic drug. The inquiry comes after 1Pacman Rep. Enrico Pineda filed House Resolution No. 1684, seeking an explanation from the FDA for disallowing Ivermectin for human consumption to treat COVID-19. Pineda earlier called Ivermectin a “game changer” despite the warning of the FDA and the Department of Health against its use to treat COVID-19. The FDA said the animal drug had not been approved by the agency to treat viral infections in humans. But the FDA said those who want to take the drug may apply for a compassionate special permit to do so.

—Nestor Corrales and Leila Salaverria