Duque maintains: Still no ‘strong evidence’ ivermectin can treat COVID-19

INQUIRER/GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines—There is still no “strong evidence” that ivermectin can treat coronavirus disease (COVID-19) even as the drug has been approved for human use in the country, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Wednesday.

During the House committee hearing on good government and public accountability, Duque said he shares the opinion of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the quality of evidence presented as to the efficacy or effectiveness of ivermectin both for treatment and prophylaxis.

“As of the last report to me, there’s still no strong evidence to support the use of ivermectin either as treatment or prophylaxis,” Duque said.

But Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta, without citing evidence, claimed that experts abroad, with more advanced technologies, have “already proclaimed the efficacy of ivermectin.”

In response, Duque said it would be more prudent to wait for the results of the clinical trials being conducted by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) upon the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“If it is in support or in alignment to the findings declared by the clinical trials outside the country, then we should round up that result,” Duque said.

In May, the FDA issued a certificate of product registration (CPR) to Lloyd Laboratories to manufacture and sell ivermectin, thus paving the way for its legal human consumption.

The FDA, however, clarified that the CP was not for use in treating or preventing COVID-19, adding that the purpose of the drug is still antiparasitic.

READ: Ivermectin gets FDA nod for human consumption

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