Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr. Screen grab / Senate PRIB file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla on Wednesday said he will be filing a resolution calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to immediately study and act on applications to manufacture anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin in the country amid talks of its use against COVID-19.
“Dalawa lang kasi ang puwedeng mangyari kung mananatiling nakaupo lamang ang FDA hinggil dito, una ay posibleng mapahamak ang marami sa ating mga kababayan dahil sa paggamit ng Ivermectin,” Revilla said in a statement on Wednesday.
(There are two things that can happen, if the FDA sits on this, firstly, it could possibly endanger Filipinos who are using Ivermectin.)
“Ikalawa ay baka totoo naman ang potensiyal ng Ivermectin at ito lamang pala ang bukod sa mura ay epektibo pang solusyon para masugpo ang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 kaya dapat lang na pursigehin ito ng FDA” he added.
(Secondly, it might be true that Ivermectin’s potential against COVID-19 and this could possibly be a cheaper and effective solution to curb the surge in COVID-19 cases that’s why the FDA should immediately look into this.)
According to Revilla, he spoke with doctors as well as patients, who he said have vouched for the supposed efficacy of the drug in fast tracking the treatment of COVID-19 as well as for protection from the virus.
The FDA, the Department of Health (DOH) and even the country representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) have cautioned against the use of Ivermectin for treatment and prevention of COVID-19.
FDA Director-General Eric Domingo earlier told House lawmakers in a hearing that Ivermectin is not yet registered for human treatment in the country. He noted that the country’s only approved Ivermectin drug is for animal and veterinary use.
Admitting he is not a medical expert himself, Revilla stressed the need to ensure the health and welfare of the public by looking into alternative solutions to the current problem and that “doors should not be closed” on Ivermectin’s “possible potential” for COVID-19 treatment and prevention.
“Hindi lamang mandato ng FDA, kundi obligasyon nito, na tingnan ang iba’t-ibang maaaring tugon at lunas sa kasalukuyang pandemya. Kung totoo na may potensiyal makatulong ang Ivermectin laban sa COVID-19, tama lamang na tingnan ito ng mabuti,” the senator said.
(It is not only the mandate but the obligation of the FDA to look into other potential solutions to the current pandemic. If it’s true that Ivermectin can potentially be used against COVID-19, we should look into this.)
Earlier, the FDA said that doctors and hospitals interested in using Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 symptoms could apply for a Compassionate Special Permit or emergency use authorization.
However, as of March 30, Domingo said they have yet to receive any form of application for authorization for human preparations for Ivermectin.