Still no evidence supporting ivermectin's efficacy vs. COVID-19 —DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday maintained that there is no evidence yet to support that antiparasitic drug ivermectin could help in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The agency issued the statement after the British Ivermectin Recommendation Development (BIRD) group asked the Philippines to consider the use of ivermectin on COVID-19 patients or as a prophylaxis.

“Based on the current evidence from randomized controlled trials, we do not recommend the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19. It has not proven to significantly reduce mortality, nor to improve other clinical outcomes,” the DOH said in its reply to BIRD, which was read by Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire in an online press conference.

“Right now, the medical consensus is that there is no evidence to support the use of ivermectin in treating COVID-19. While the DOH is not against the use of investigational drugs, we emphasize that in using products under investigation, the safety of every Filipino should take utmost precedence,” it added.

The DOH said the recommendation would be updated “as more evidence is generated from ongoing trials.”

“While we are always on the lookout for evidence on the use of such medications, the best way to protect ourselves now is to keep healthy, continuously practice the minimum public health standards, and get yourselves vaccinated when it’s your turn already,” it said.

Deputy Speaker Rodante Marcoleta and Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor stirred controversy in April after distributing ivermectin among Quezon City residents despite the strong opposition of medical experts.

These lawmakers have also asked the Supreme Court to compel the government to facilitate the approval of ivermectin as treatment for COVID-19.

Ivermectin has only been approved for compassionate use on COVID-19 patients in certain hospitals. —KBK, GMA News