Ivermectin clinical trial in PH will no longer push through

MANILA – The country will no longer push through with the conduct of ivermectin clinical trial, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña announced on May 20.

“The DOST, upon the recommendation of the DOH (Department of Health) and the PCHRD (Philippine Council for Health Research and Development) Governing Council, has decided to discontinue the study to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and effect on the viral clearance of Ivermectin in Covid-19 patients,” he said in a taped report.

The study would supposedly document the local experiences, how participants would respond, and if there would be adverse effects. Over 1,000 non-severe patients are needed to participate in the clinical trials. The figure includes mild and asymptomatic patients.

PCHRD executive director Jaime Montoya earlier said a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial will be done, which may help health experts determine if the drug can reduce the number of days the patient will experience symptoms.

Recruitment of participants was initially targeted at least early June 2021, but was later moved to October 15, 2021.

De la Peña confirmed to the Philippine News Agency that the DOST has started with the preparatory work, but clinical trials have not been conducted yet. /