By Teddy Cambosa

The Department of Science of Technology (DOST) in the Philippines has reaffirmed its position against the use of ivermectin against COVID-19.

Image/www.demis.nl via wikimedia commons

In a press statement, DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña noted that according to recent data from US’s National Library Medicine’s ClinicalTrials.gov, there are almost 20 completed and 40 ongoing clinical trials around the world exploring the use of Ivermectin.

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication that is used to heartworm and ascariasis among animals.

Furthermore, DOST’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is of the position that there is no need to conduct another clinical trial in the Philippines. 

“Experts in the scientific and medical field have already spoken. In the case of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), our most common involvement is the development of diagnostic kits, disease models, drugs and adjunctive therapies which include clinical trials,” de la Peña stated.

The use of ivermectin in the Philippines has been fire under lately after opposing positions held by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that distribution of ivermectin as COVID-19 medication is deemed ‘illegal’, yet has sought approval for use among private hospitals as an ‘investigational product’.

Teddy Cambosa is a graduating BS Biology student and a former campus journalist at Batangas State University. He is also currently writing for MARKETECH APAC, a small APAC-focused marketing news site.

Parasites treatment: Ivermectin is safe and well tolerated in young children

Ivermectin: 5-day course did not significantly improve the time to resolution of mild COVID-19 symptoms

Ivermectin: South Africa officials say routine use for either the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 is not justified

NIH changes on use of ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19

FDA warning: Ivermectin meant for animals are not for human treatment for COVID-19