(AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — A company has expressed willingness to file for a certificate product registration (CPR) of imported human-grade ivermectin before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA Director General Eric Domingo on Tuesday said that representatives of the company, which he did not identify, have already met with drug regulators in the Philippines last week.
Domingo said Lloyd Laboratories, a local pharmaceutical firm, earlier applied for a CPR of ivermectin before the FDA.
“There is one importer who already had a meeting with our regulators last week to ask for the requirements and they said they would file for a CPR for ivermectin na imported,” Domingo said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.
FDA chief and DOH Usec. Eric Domingo
Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña earlier said that the country is set to conduct clinical trials to determine whether ivermectin can be used to treat COVID-19 patients.
Domingo earlier revealed it was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who had ordered the conduct of clinical trials for ivermectin as potential COVID-19 treatment.
Health authorities earlier said that the ivermectin approved in the country is only for veterinary use.
At least three hospitals, however, have already been granted compassionate special permits to use human-grade ivermectin for COVID-19 patients.
Domingo said these hospitals use the drug mostly for patients suffering mild to moderate cases of COVID-19.