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MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday that the names of doctors who prescribe the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 infection despite the warning from government health authorities will be presented to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC).
This comes as DOH warned that government regulators have not approved ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, for the cure of “any viral infection.”
“We will forward the names of these doctors to the Professional Regulation Commission. If convicted, these doctors risk having their licenses revoked, ”DOH said in a statement.
DOH also reiterated its previous advice to the public not to buy or use veterinary Ivermectin products as a drug for COVID-19, citing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Notice No. 2021-0526 issued on March 15.
According to DOH, ivermectin-registered veterinary products are only approved for use in the prevention of heartworm disease and the treatment of internal and external parasites in certain animal species.
“Ivermectin IS NOT APPROVED by the FDA for the treatment of any viral infection. Any use of ivermectin veterinary products for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 should be avoided, ”he said.
Both the DOH and the FDA do not recommend the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients as the benefits and safety of the product for this purpose have not been established.
Data from clinical trials are needed to determine whether ivermectin is safe and effective in treating or preventing COVID-19 infection, the health agency added.
According to DOH, the FDA has only evaluated the safety and efficacy of the product in particular species for which they are labeled, and that “the use of these products in humans can cause serious harm.”
Medicines for animals, he added, are often highly concentrated and can be highly toxic to humans.
DOH urged the public to inform individuals and physicians who sell or recommend the use of ivermectin for purposes other than its approved intended application by calling the Center for Drug Research and Regulation at (02) 8809-5596.
KGA
For more news on the new coronavirus, click here.
What you need to know about the coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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