Anakalusugan party-list Representative Mike Defensor insisted that there is nothing illegal with him wanting to distribute anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 patients in Quezon City.
Defensor told Dobol B TV on Tuesday that the drug is coming from legal compounding laboratories. He noted that a physician’s prescription is still required to use this alleged COVID-19 drug.
“Ang DOH (Department of Health) at FDA (Food and Drug Administration), sinasabi nila wala pang clinical trials, tama po ‘yun pero sinasabi din nila oh puwede na kayong mag-prescribe. Ang ginagawa ko po ay sa regulasyon ng batas, after FDA law at kung ano ‘yung ginagawang alituntuntin ng FDA,” Defensor said.
(The DOH and FDA said there’s no clinical trials yet on ivermectin. However, the agencies are also saying that we can ask for a doctor’s prescription for its use. I have been following the regulations of the FDA.)
“Ang ibig kong sabihin ‘pag ikaw ay pumunta ng doktor, nagkaroon ka ng prescription, sinabing gamitin mo ‘tong gamot na ‘to, puwede. So it’s not illegal, sinusundan ko pa rin within the parameters of FDA and DOH,” Defensor added.
(What I mean is if you go to a doctor, you get a prescription allowing you to use ivermectin, that’s allowed. It’s not illegal. I’m still following the FDA and DOH.)
Defensor says giving ivermectin to COVID patients in QC not illegal
Defensor even said that his fellow lawmakers, some generals, justices and even members of the media have been asking him for ivermectin.
Defensor said in a Facebook post on Monday that those with comorbidities and senior citizens would be given priority as the drug supply was limited.
“Magpadala ng private message sa itong Facebook Page: Malayang Quezon City upang makuha ang kumpletong detalye para makakuha ng ivermectin,” he said.
(Please send a private message to Malayang Quezon City to get a complete detail for getting ivermectin.)
According to the lawmaker, ivermectin is still “safe” and might be effective despite that there is no clinical trial that has been conducted that the drug used for animals would be effective for treating COVID-19 patients.