A physician providing anti-parasitic drug ivermectin, who has an approved permit for compassionate use, will be liable for side effects or issues after using the drug for human treatment, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said Sunday.
FDA Director General Eric Domingo said over “Dobol B TV” that one of the requirements in applying for a compassionate use permit is the doctor’s assurance that he will take responsibility for the use of ivermectin.
Also, he said that the processing of compassionate use application for ivermectin would only take between 24-48 hours if the requirements are complete.
“Basta kumpleto ang requirements, ang processing ng compassionate use ay nasa 24-48 hours.”
“Pagkatapos mangangako siya na he will take full responsibility for the use of the drugs. Pagkatapos ipapakita ang ebidensya na may ongoing clinical trial itong gamot na ito” (Then he will make a vow that he will take full responsibility for the drugs, then he will show evidence that there is an ongoing clinical trial for this drug), the FDA chief added.
Last week, the FDA approved a hospital’s application for compassionate use on humans of the veterinary drug ivermectin.
Domingo earlier said only hospitals having compassionate use permit for humans will be allowed to import the drug through a licensed importer. This means, without the permit, distribution of ivermectin is still prohibited.
Meanwhile, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor, who is not a health professional, previously stressed that the person who will be given the drug has “consent” amid fears that ivermectin may have side effects. Defensor also claimed that he was given ivermectin while he was infected with COVID-19.
Medical experts warned of damage to brain, liver, and kidney as possible negative effects of ivermectin.
The Department of Health, FDA and the World Health Organization have also discouraged the veterinary drug for treatment against COVID-19, citing information that the drug did not reduce the risk of mortality for COVID-19 patients. —LBG, GMA News
