FDA no authority over solons in ivermectin distribution —chief

Food and Drug Administration Director General Eric Domingo said Wednesday the agency has no disciplinary authority over lawmakers who distributed ivermectin, despite lack of evidence that the anti-parasitic drug can treat patients with COVID-19.

“Yes. It’s a separate branch of government,” Domingo said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum when told that only Congress has the power to impose sanctions on its members.

Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor and Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta distributed ivermectin despite repeated warnings from health authorities and groups that it has not been proven to be effective against coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

A house-to-house distribution of ivermectin will also be done to prevent mass gathering, according to Defensor.

Told about the distribution plan, Domingo cited the need to determine if there are laws and regulations violated.

“There are legal ways of treating a patient, but you have to prescribe properly and the medicine has to be dispensed properly. And the patient has to be made aware what the medicine is and what the possible effects are,” he said.

“Medicine is very apolitical and treatment of patients should be very scientifically based and based on evidence.”

The FDA is investigating reports that doctors wrote prescriptions on blank pieces of paper instead of on prescription pads under the distribution project of Defensor and Marcoleta.

“Our enforcement unit has been investigating since this weekend and I’m waiting for their report,” Domingo said. —LBG, GMA News