DOH: AO letting hospitals buy COVID-19 investigational drugs out soon

The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said it will release an administrative order that will allow hospitals to procure investigational drugs for COVID-19.

“Meron na ho kaming ilalabas na policy… this is an admin order among the investigational drugs that we are using for COVID-19. Because usually ang may EUA po kasi ang DOH,” Health Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said said in a media briefing.

(We will release a policy… this is an admin order among the investigational drugs that we are using for COVID-19. Because usually, the DOH has the EUA.)

“We are now delegating this authority to procure doon po sa ating mga hospital para makakagamit na sila agad-agad nitong investigational drug,” she added.

(We are now delegating this authority to procure to our hospitals so they can immediately use the investigational drugs.)

Vergeire said the DOH is waiting for the order to be signed.

“So we are just waiting for it to be signed. Tapos mag-uumpisa na ho tayo niyan,” she said.

Investigational drugs being used in the country include remdesivir, tocilizumab, and baricitinib.

However, Vergeire said drugs at the compassionate special permit (CSP) level and have yet to be issued an EUA are not allowed to be used by anyone.

“Ang molnupiravir, CSP pa lang ho siya. Hindi pa siya pwedeng gamitin ng kahit sino. Kailangan mag apply ng compassionate special permit sa FDA,” she said. —LBG, GMA News