Don’t prescribe ivermectin outside of hospitals granted compassionate use –PMA

The Philippine Medical Association (PMA) on Saturday warned physicians against prescribing ivermectin outside of hospitals that have been granted compassionate use of the antiparasitic drug.

“PMA reiterates its warning that FDA already cautioned that manufacture and dispensing of unregistered drugs would be prosecuted as a violation of the FDA Act of 2009,” the PMA said in a statement.

The association issued the warning after Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must investigate reports of “token” prescription during the distribution of ivermectin in Quezon City.

This was after doctors who joined Representatives Rodante Marcoleta and Mike Defensor’s distribution of ivermectin wrote their prescriptions on a piece of paper and not on a prescription pad.

“Ivermectin must be prescribed and used within the same hospital and the prescribing doctor must inform the patient of this compassionate use category with unproven end result,” it said.

“The drug ivermectin may not be prescribed by any physician outside the designated authorized hospital. Its prescription as a prophylactic medicine against COVID-19 strongly not advised,” it added.

Scientists have also warned against taking the anti-parasite drug as a treatment for COVID-19.

At present, at least five hospitals have been granted compassionate use for the drug.

Despite this, the FDA said the distribution of ivermectin as part of treatment for COVID-19 is still prohibited.

Meanwhile, it said it is investigating reports that prescriptions for ivermectin were written on a sheet of blank paper and not on a prescription pad.  — DVM, GMA News