Ang Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ay mangunguna sa mga operasyon laban sa iligal na pagbebenta ng anti-parasitic drug na ivermectin “for animal use” na nai-repack upang maging angkop sa mga tao, sinabi ng Malacañang nitong Miyerkules.
“To ensure the safety and welfare of the public and at the same time avoid any unnecessary conflicts, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been directed to take the lead in determining the course of action against the illegal trading/dispensing of Ivermectin,” sinabi ng tagapagsalita ng pangulo na si Harry Roque sa isang pahayag.
Idinagdag ni Roque ang Philippine National Police “cannot arbitrarily determine on their own which drug/s should not be on the market” samakatuwid ang lahat ng operasyon sa pagsugpo laban sa iligal na pagbebenta ng ivermectin ay dapat na maiugnay sa FDA.
“The Palace further underscores what is being ordered to stop is the sale/trade of ivermectin for veterinary use that has been repackaged as human grade, including those that have not been determined by competent authorities as safe to be used in humans,” ani Roque
“Having said this, we advise the public to seek the advice of medical practitioners before taking medicines and/or supplements,” dagdag pa niya
Sinabi ng tagapagsalita na sinusubaybayan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang mga development sa ivermectin sa bansa at sa ibang pang mga bansa.
“He has even directed the Presidential Management Staff (PMS) to give him weekly updates on ivermectin studies and FDA-related clearance,” aniya
Ang paggamit ng ivermectin upang gamutin ang COVID-19 na kamakailan lamang ay nagdulot ng debate sa mga medical practitioners. Sa kasalukuyan, magagamit lamang ito commercially sa Pilipinas sa antas ng beterinaryo o kaya’y para sa hayop.