President Rodrigo Duterte is closely monitoring the developments concerning the controversial drug Ivermectin in the Philippines and abroad, Malacañang said Wednesday, April 21..

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after Duterte directed the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines to hold clinical trials for the use of the anti-parasitic drug to treat Covid-19 patients.

Duterte’s order overturned the previous stance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH) that there is no need for local trial since over 40 global studies on the drug are being conducted.

Roque defended Duterte’s decision, saying the President wanted to find out if there is enough evidence to back the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19.

“To ensure the safety and welfare of the public and at the same time avoid any unnecessary conflicts, the Food and Drug Administration has been directed to take the lead in determining the course of action against the illegal trading/dispensing of Ivermectin,” Roque said in a press statement.

He assured that efforts by the Philippine National Police to crack down on individuals engaged in the distribution of fake, unregistered, or unlicensed Ivermectin are being coordinated with the FDA.

“The Philippine National Police cannot arbitrarily determine on their own which drug/s should not be on the market. All operations to apprehend or seize goods must be done in coordination with the FDA,” he said.

Currently, there is a growing debate with the medical community whether Ivermectin should be given to COVID-19 patients.

So far, the FDA has granted a compassionate special permit (CSP) for Ivermectin use on COVID-19 patients to two hospitals amid pressure from some doctors and private groups advocating its use.

Prior to the grant of the CSP to the two hospitals, Ivermectin products were used for certain animal species to treat internal and external parasites as well as prevention of heartworm disease in the country.

“The Palace further underscores what is being ordered to stop is the sale/trade of Ivermectin for veterinary use that has been repackaged as human-grade, including those that have not been determined by competent authorities as safe to be used in humans,” Roque said.

Roque said Duterte continues to monitor developments concerning Ivermectin, even directing the Presidential Management Staff to give him weekly updates on Ivermectin studies and FDA-related clearance.

Meanwhile, he urged the public to seek the advice of medical professionals before purchasing and taking Ivermectin.

“We advise the public to seek the advice of medical practitioners before taking medicines and/or supplements,” he said.

The DOST earlier said local trials on Ivermectin would give them a “reliable estimate” on the drug’s effect as an antiviral agent to “reduce virus shedding of mild and moderate patients.”

The World Health Organization, the United States FDA, the European Medicine Agency, and Ivermectin manufacturer, Merck, said there is a lack of data and evidence on its efficacy for COVID-19 prevention and treatment.PNA