(AFP)
The younger Estrada said he consulted the doctors of his father regarding ivermectin after hearing anecdotal reports that it helped improve the condition of some COVID-19 patients.
“So I consulted the doctor of my dad about ivermectin. And the doctor said, I will not give ivermectin for your dad because that is only for animals,” he said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.
“I really have to follow the doctor’s advice. Sila yung dalubhasa eh (They are the experts). Syempre (Of course) I cannot argue with them. I cannot debate with them,” he added.
Former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada flashes a thumbs-up sign in this undated photo from his hospital ICU bed. (Photo posted on the Facebook account of former Senator JV Ejercito)
Jinggoy, however, said that his siblings had previously discussed the possibility of ivermectin treatment for their father.
Health authorities have been warning against the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients as it is not yet registered for human use in the country.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, recently issued a compassionate special permit (CSP) to two hospitals to use the product for COVID-19 treatment.
Instead of using ivermectin, the doctors administered Leronlimab, an investigational product still undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of cancer and human immunodeficiency virus, on the older Estrada, according to Jinggoy.
The FDA earlier said Leronlimab is also being investigated for COVID-19 treatment.
It added that it granted CSP to two physicians to use the product for two COVID-19 patients.
The former president previously tested positive for COVID-19 but eventually recovered. His negative test for the disease was revealed by Jinggoy on April 13.
He, however, was later brought back to the intensive care unit due to bacterial lung infection.