DRUG WAR? | Defensor, Marcoleta blast DOH, FDA for probe on invalid Ivermectin prescription

May 3, 2021 , 03:22 PM

(May 3, 2021) – With issues surrounding the use of Ivermectin, two lawmakers have called out the Department of Health (DOH) after saying sanctions will be imposed on doctors who prescribed the controversial anti-parasitic drug in a recent distribution program.

Last Thursday, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor and Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta gave out Ivermectin in Brgy. Balara, Quezon City as they continue to promote it as an alternative treatment for COVID-19 despite lack of substantial evidence.

The project, however, was heavily criticized because the prescriptions given by doctors were only written in bond papers. The DOH already asked the Professional Regulation Commission to probe the invalid prescriptions.

Defensor defended the doctors who participated in their project, blasting the DOH for calling them out.

“Our doctors do not deserve this! They have put their names and practice on the line for the love of our people and nation. They didn’t have to do that. They could have remained quiet and towed the line. They spoke and they acted knowing that silence will lead to the death of our people. They were just being true to their Hippocratic oath,” said Defensor in a Facebook post on Monday.

Defensor also claimed that the DOH and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are “against the poor” for trying to stop Ivermectin, which is cheaper than other COVID-19 drugs.

Marcoleta also slammed the DOH and the FDA, emphasizing that it is still the government’s policy to “adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to health development,” while appearing to praise himself and Defensor for their project.

“Instead of raising a howl to probe the event, they (the DOH and the FDA) should have been behind that symbolic act, or could have done it way ahead in time before our group managed to do it,” said Marcoleta in a statement.

He also warned against investigating the doctors involved in their Ivermectin distribution, saying they can also turn the tables on the DOH and the FDA.

“Kung iimbestigahan mo ‘yung mga doktor na tumulong sa amin, kami ba walang karapatan na imbestigahan namin kayo sa kapabaayaan na ginagawa niyo? Dapat nga hindi kami nagsimula, dapat nga sila ang nakaisip nito,” said Marcoleta.

Several health groups, including the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine College of Physicians, have continuously warned against the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 due to the lack of clinical data.

The Department of Science and Technology director Jaime Montoya, meanwhile, said the clinical trials for Ivermectin as possible COVID-19 treatment are set to begin soon.

“Ang isasama sa ating pag-aaral ay ‘yung mga non-severe. Ito ‘yung mga mild to moderate symptomatic cases, at mga asymptomatic na karaniwang nakikita sa quarantine facilities,” said Montoya in a press briefing. “Posibleng first quarter of next year lalabas ang resulta pero kung marami tayong volunteers na makuha ay maaaring mapaikli ang pag-aaral.”

Five hospitals have now obtained compassionate special permit to prescribe Ivermectin to COVID-19 patients.

(Kiko Demigillo/PM)

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