Defensor on who will take responsibility if ivermectin causes harm: "May consent naman 'yung tao"

"May consent naman 'yung tao doon eh (People give consent on using it)."

This was the response of Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor when asked on who will be held liable in case there will be adverse side effects after using anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as anti-virus medicine.

Defensor has been pushing for the use of ivermectin as a possible treatment against COVID-19 even if the drug is still unauthorized for human use.

"The point is before you get the prescription, before you are allowed to take it, may consent 'yung tao, may consent naman 'yung tao doon eh.  Medical practice naman 'yan talaga eh na ito iinumin ko, pe-prescribe ko sa 'yo and the recipient, pumapayag para dito," Defensor answered in a virtual interview when pressed by reporters on Tuesday.

(Before you get the prescription, before you are allowed to take it, people give their consent. It's been a medical practice that one gives consent when a doctor prescribes him/her with a certain medicine.)

Defensor has said he will distribute ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients in Quezon City, adding that he will prioritize persons with comorbidities as well as senior citizens.

His distribution will be for free, according to the lawmaker.

Defensor said there is nothing illegal with his initiative as he is sourcing ivermectin from authorized compounding laboratories. Moreover, he said a doctor's prescription is a must before getting ivermectin.

He said he is still following the regulations of the Food and Drug Administration regarding the use of ivermectin, which is currently allowed in the Philippines only for veterinary use.

FDA Director General Eric Domingo has clarified that the use of human-grade ivermectin drugs is legal only if prescribed by a physician and compounded by a licensed pharmacy.

At present, an application for Certificate of Product Registration for ivermectin is pending before the FDA, according to Domingo.

Despite this, he stressed that further studies should be made to prove that ivermectin is indeed effective in treating COVID-19.—AOL, GMA News