DOH: Reevaluation of newer evidence finds ivermectin still not recommended as COVID-19 treatment

A reevaluation of newer evidence on ivermectin showed that it is still not recommended as a COVID-19 treatment, the Department of Health (DOH) said Wednesday as two lawmakers gear up to distribute the antiparasitic drug in Quezon City.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said a group of experts, composed of medical societies and the government’s health and regulatory agencies, found a “very low quality of evidence” on the use of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.

The group found “insufficient evidence” to support the use of ivermectin on mild to moderate COVID-19 cases and also recommended against the use of the drug on severe cases, Vergeire said.

“These are all conditional recommendations because of the very low quality of evidence that are existing right now internationally,” she said in an online briefing.

“So talagang maganda ‘yung pinu-push natin na clinical trial for ivermectin na gagawin dito sa ating bansa para mas magkaroon tayo ng sufficient and magandang ebidensya,” she added. 

(The push for a local clinical trial for ivermectin is really good so that we would have sufficient and better evidence.)

The DOH issued the reminder after Representatives Rodante Marcoleta and Mike Defensor said they would distribute ivermectin for free on Thursday. 

Vergeire stressed that only five hospitals have been granted a compassionate special permit (CSP) to use ivermectin on COVID-19 patients. 

“Bukod po dito sa mga ospital na nakakuha ng CSP ay wala pa pong iba na puwedeng mag-distribute or puwede magpamigay ng gamot na ito dahil hindi ito rehistrado,” she said.

(Aside from the hospitals that have gotten a CSP, no one can distribute ivermectin because it is not registered.)

The DOH has issued several warnings against the use of unregistered drugs amid calls to use ivermectin on COVID-19 patients. 

The World Health Organization, United States Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, and even ivermectin manufacturer Merck have all advised against the use of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment. — RSJ, GMA News