TO USE OR NOT TO USE A number of physicians swear by the effectiveness of Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug commercially available only for veterinary use, as a treatment or preventive
medicine against COVID-19. But the Food and Drug Administration maintains there are procedures to be followed, including clinical trials, before the drug could be allowed for distribution. —AFP file photo
MANILA, Philippines — Distributing unregistered products especially without a doctor’s prescription goes against the law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Tuesday.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo issued the warning after Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said he will give Quezon City residents access to Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug.
“Ang hindi lang naman puwede sa atin yung unauthorized drugs or unregistered drugs and of course, hindi puwede madistribute ng walang prescription,” Domingo said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel when sought to comment on Defensor’s plan to distribute the drug.
(Those that are not allowed are unauthorized drugs or unregistered drugs and, of course, these should not be distributed without prescription.)
Domingo also confirmed to INQUIRER.net that it is illegal to distribute the drug to people given that no Ivermectin is registered for human use in the Philippines.
All current Ivermectin products registered in the country are only for veterinary use to treat external parasites and prevent heartworm disease in animals.
Despite this, Domingo said even prescribing Ivermectin meant for animal use is illegal.
“Iba yung components nung veterinary Ivermectin. The Ivermectin part is exactly the same kaya lang yung vehicle that is used is something that is acceptable for animals, hindi eksaktong kapareho nung for humans na chemicals. Yung veterinary products, definitely hindi pupuwedeng ireseta,” he explained.
(The veterinary Ivermectin has different components. The Ivermectin part is exactly the same but the vehicle that is used is something acceptable for animals and not exactly the same chemicals suitable for humans. The veterinary products definitely cannot be prescribed.)
Both the FDA and the Department of Health have repeatedly said that they do not recommend using Ivermectin for treating COVID-19 as evidence does not support such claims.