ANAKALUSUGAN Party-list Representative Mike Defensor has ignored a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory against the use of antiparasitic drug Ivermectin in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients and launched a program to distribute the drug for free.
So far, the Food and Drug Administration has only approved Ivermectin for animal use, to prevent heartworm disease and treat parasite infestation such as head lice and scabies. Local manufacturers already applied for the “compassionate use” of the drug on humans, but no feedback has been given on this yet.
“Ang ibig kong sabihin ‘pag ikaw ay pumunta ng doktor, nagkaroon ka ng prescription, sinabing gamitin mo ‘tong gamot na ‘to, puwede. So it’s not illegal, sinusundan ko pa rin within the parameters of FDA and DOH,” Defensor said.
“If there are compounding labs, then its best to monitor and regulate instead of killing supply which results to illegal production, smuggling and increase of prices,” said Defensor, who earlier said he got Ivermectin treatment while recovering from COVID-19.