FDA exploring possibilities on expanding drugs for emergency use

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is already exploring possibilities in expanding its drugs for emergency use (DEU) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to director general Eric Domingo on Thursday.

"Actually pinalawak na nga namin to the living guidelines para mas maraming grupo na gumagawa... para puwede nilang maisama doon sa living guidelines at maaral para ma-increase natin sa DEU. We are exploring possibilities," Domingo said at a congressional hearing.

Domingo said DEU is being issued for "registered (repurposed) drugs which were under investigation."

He said the registration of drugs would be based on the Philippine COVID-19 Living Recommendations, which is a document that provides up-to-date review of scientific evidence and consolidated recommendation from various medical societies and institutions on the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of COVID-19.

Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy said DEU in the Philippines should be widened so that more medicines could be available in the country, especially since the threat of COVID-19 is still there.

"'Yung sa DEU natin, how wide can we make this? It's important that we make all medicines available and accessible kasi doctors din naman ang magdedesisyon kung ano ang gagamitin nila for a particular patient," Herrera-Dy said.

"I don't think we should limit it but of course kayo po ang experts diyan. Can we already widen the drugs emergency use para maraming available na pumasok sa ating bansa? Like 'yung sinasabi na leronlimab na nabigyan niyo ng CSP," she added.

Herrera-Dy, together with House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, filed a resolution, which seeks to look into the policies and guidelines of both agencies in the registration, utilization and manufacture and distribution of drugs for COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News