The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Sunday said it is hoping to begin next month the postponed clinical trials of ivermectin as a COVID-19 treatment.
Previously, the DOST said they were revising the methodology for the clinical trials to avoid issues of data manipulation and data validity.
In an interview on Dobol B TV, Science Secretary Fortunato dela Peña said DOST is still revising their protocols before they could start the clinical trials.
"Hopefully, since these were postponed twice, by November 15, we can finally start with the trials. There are many areas where the trials will be conducted. It's not like vaccines. There will be a long intervention,” he said.
"Hopefully, by the end of the year, we can submit a first report," added dela Peña.
The Philippines' Food and Drug Administration has said ivermectin products registered in the country for human use are in topical formulations and for treatment of external parasites such as head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.
It added that ivermectin is not approved for treatment of any viral infection.
Even the US FDA warned against using ivermectin to treat patients infected with COVID-19.
But in April, the DOST revealed it will conduct trials to determine if ivermectin can be used to treat COVID-19.
Ivermectin maker Merck already stated there is “no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect [from ivermectin] against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies."
Merck also said there was "no meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 and a concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies."
The Department of Health has said a reevaluation of newer evidence on ivermectin showed that it is still not recommended as a COVID-19 treatment.
