MANILA, Philippines— Two resolutions have been filed in the Senate urging concerned government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to look into the possible use of the controversial drug ivermectin against COVID-19.
Senate Resolutions No. 697 and 698 were filed by Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, respectively, last April 12 but were only posted on the Senate’s website this Monday, May 17.
In his resolution, Pacquiao urged three agencies — FDA, Department of Health, and Department of Science and Technology — to “explore the efficacy and viability of Ivermectin as an alternative drug to prevent and treat coronavirus diseases.”
Pacquiao said there is an urgent need “to explore other safe and effective alternatives to serve the need of our people,” considering the pace of COVID-19 vaccination at that time he filed the resolution.
“Ivermectin, a low-cost drug is seen as a viable alternative to treat humans with COVID-19,” he stressed.
But the senator recognized that further studies are still needed “before it could be conclusively declared that ivermectin is a safe and effective low-cost alternative drug that could prevent and cure COVID-19.”
“Moreover, before it could be made available to the general public, approval of appropriate health authorities such as but not limited to the Food and Drug Administration is necessary,” Pacquiao said.
“Therefore, be it resolved as it hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines, to urge the Department of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department and of Science and Technology to explore the efficacy and viability of Ivermectin as an alternative drug to prevent and treat coronavirus diseases,” he added.
Revilla, meanwhile, urged the FDA to “immediately look into and come up with definite findings regarding the use of the drug ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.”
“The uncontrollable rise in COVID-19 infection has posed serious public health crisis in the country and all possible cure and medication to address the pandemic should be worth the State’s consideration, and with utmost urgency,” he said in Senate Resolution No. 697.
In the measure, the senator cited Dr. Allan Landrito’s claim that ivermectin was effective in 99 percent of his patients.
To make ivermectin available to the public, its manufacturers had applied for License To Operate (LTO) and Certificate of Product Registration (CPR).
But the application has been pending before the FDA since February 11, Revilla said.
“Pending the approval of the application for LTO, and issuance of CPR, the FDA cannot guarantee the safety and quality of Ivermectin for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19,” he noted.
The FDA has recently issued a CPR to Lloyd Laboratories for the manufacture and sale of ivermectin, allowing its use for humans but only as an “anti-nematode drug” and not to treat or prevent COVID-19.
Nematode is a type of parasitic worm.