20,000 'smuggled' ivermectin capsules seized at NAIA

Some 20,000 undeclared ivermectin capsules were seized by Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The capsules, which were part of the shipment declared "Food Supplements, Multivitamins and Multi-Mineral Capsules," came from New Delhi, India, according to the BOC in a press release on Thursday.

The ivermectin capsules were concealed in the inner portion of the shipment and covered by other declared regulated items, the BOC said.

Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, became popular in the Philippines amid claims that it could be used for treating COVID-19 patients. Those who believe this include lawmakers and some doctors.

The World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency, however, have yet to recommend ivermectin

Ivermectin maker Merck said in February that there was "no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect" based on preclinical studies.

"At present, the drug is under compassionate use in Specialized Institutions authorized by FDA through the issuance of Compassionate Special permit (CSP)," said Food and Drug Administration (FDA) director Jesusa Joyce Cirunay of the Center for Drug Regulation and Research in a reply letter to BOC.

"In case Ivermectin has been granted authorization, a valid License to Operate (LTO) as Drug Importer and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) shall be presented."

At present, six private hospitals have secured a compassionate special permit (CSP) for the use of ivermectin on COVID-19 patients. --KBK, GMA News