DOH cautions public vs. unregulated use of dexamethasone

THE DEPARTMENT of Health has cautioned the public against the unregulated use of a steroid that researchers in England claimed can improve Covid-19 survival among certain patients.

Health Undersecretary Dr. Maria Rosario

Vergeire warned the public against non-prescribed purchase and use of “dexamethasone” as either for prophylaxis or cure from the SARS-COV-2 virus which causes Covid-19.

“Dexamethasone is a type of steroid medication that is currently indicated in the treatment of different conditions such as severe allergies, preterm labor, and as adjunct in certain chemotherapy regimens. We strongly urge the public not to rush to the drugstores, buy this drug, and take it without the supervision of a doctor, in order to be cured or be protected from the virus,” Vergeire explained.

“It is highly important to note that though this may be considered as a breakthrough in science, the study on this drug as a cure for Covid-19 is yet to be peer reviewed. Furthermore, it is intended as part of supportive care and is not meant to be a cure or prophylaxis for the disease. There is still no vaccine or cure for COVID-19,” she added.

Dexamethasone landed in the news when researchers from England reported that deaths in severely-ill Covid-19 patients on mechanical ventilation decreased by onethird with the inclusion of dexamethasone in their treatment, while it reduced deaths among patients receiving oxygen by one-fifth. However the study found no benefit in patients with mild disease who do not require respiratory support.

Vergeire said dexamethasone has only been given to patients who are critically hospitalized, those who are already intubated and supported by a ventilator, or those who require oxygen therapy. She emphasized that dexamethasone is only a supportive drug for the critically-ill patients.

“We want to remind and warn the public not to buy or worse—hoard it—in the hope of self-medicating or taking it as prophylaxis. There is still no prophylaxis nor vaccine for Covid-19, and the most effective way to protect ourselves is by continuing to practice regular hand-washing, wearing of face masks and other appropriate personal protective equipment, practicing cough etiquette, and physical distancing,” she said.

Vergeire also said that the s0-called Fabunan anti-viral injection, a much talked about drug by Dr. Ruben Fabunan, a physician now based in the US, which reportedly contains dexamethasone, has not yet applied for drug trials under the Food and Drug Administration. As such, the Department of Health cannot guarantee the safety, efficacy, or purity of this specific combination of drugs.

“Dexamethasone is yet to undergo further trials and review, but we assure the public that the DOH is in coordination with the global medical community. The department remains in close collaboration with different experts both locally and internationally in the search for a cure and other treatments that are safe and effective against Covid-19,” Vergeire said.

The Food and Drug Administration also has issued a cease-and-desist order against the use of the Fabunan anti-viral injection, amid reports that more people were getting the medication, she said, adding, “to date, there has not been any record of the Fabunan anti-viral injection applying with the FDA.” But according to the Market Watch, the U.K. government has approved the use of dexamethasone — the first coronavirus drug that scientists says has been shown to save lives — and it costs just £5 ($6) per patient.

A trial led by Oxford University found that the low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators, and by a fifth for those on oxygen, according to results published.

The treatment will now be used on the NHS as standard care for Covid-19 patients and the U.K.’S chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said the drug could “immediately be used across the world” to save lives.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson described it as the “biggest breakthrough yet” in the global research effort in the fight against coronavirus, at the daily briefing. He added that the U.K. had enough supplies of the drug to deal with a potential second spike in hospital admissions.