Defensor: Speed up clinical trials for ivermectin

WONDER DRUG A health worker shows a bottle of ivermectin. —AFP

Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor has called on the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Technology to “speed up” its clinical trials for ivermectin as a potential COVID-19 treatment.

The lawmaker made the appeal after Science Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the country would conduct clinical trials on the antiparasitic drug to see if it has antiviral properties.

“Lives are at stake here. We could save many lives with the use of this popular P35-per-tablet experimental drug. The results of the trials ordered by President Duterte should be available soon,” Defensor said.

Defensor, a COVID-19 survivor who admitted to using ivermectin, is one of several lawmakers pushing for the use of the experimental drug.

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug, which is approved for topical use in humans to treat skin parasites. It is also known for its oral use in animals to treat heartworm and other parasites. INQ