(AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Participants for the Philippines’ clinical trials on the use of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment will be sourced from at least six quarantine centers near the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
“Yung mga quarantine centers around PGH, yun po ang ating kukunan ng participants, siguro at least mga anim po na quarantine centers,” Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said in an interview on Teleradyo on Tuesday.
(The quarantine centers around PGH, that’s where we will source our participants, maybe at least six quarantine centers.)
“Ito po mostly, ang pagkakaalam ko ay mild—I’m not yet sure kung kasama yung moderate—pero ito po ay yung hindi mga nasa ospital,” he added.
(Mostly, from what I know, we will tap participants only with mild symptoms—I’m not sure if even moderate cases will be considered—but the participants will not be those who are admitted in hospitals.)
He said the number of participants for the trial has yet to be finalized.
During a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte Monday night, Dela Peña announced that the country will hold its own clinical trial on ivermectin.
“Nung Sabado at nakatanggap na ako ng request from Sec. [Francisco] Duque ng DOH (Department of Health) to make a plan and proposal already for clinical trials,” the DOST chief said.
(On Saturday, I received a request from Sec. Duque from the DOH to make a plan and proposal for clinical trials.)
According to Dela Peña, the clinical trials would be led by Dr. Aileen Wang of the University of the Philippines-Manila.
A portion of the DOH budget have been allocated for the trials, he added.
He said it would take at least six months to complete the clinical trials but noted that the process may be expedited with more participants and volunteers.