Distribution firms seek local clinical trials before FDA on ivermectin use for COVID-19 treatment

Two distribution firms have expressed interest to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in conducting local clinical trials for the use of anti-parasitic drug ivermectin in treating COVID-19. 

In a statement, IP Biotech Inc. (IPB) and Ambica International, Inc. (Ambica), said "a number of physicians" in the country have already recommended ivermectin for COVID-19. 

IP Biotech is the same company that represents Sinovac in the country, which was also pushed for emergency use. 

"The antiparasitic [drug] has been used empirically for the treatment of outpatients and hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Honduras and in other regions of the world," the statement read. 

However, infectious diseases expert Dr. Edsel Salvana earlier said that the supposed effectivity of ivermectin in helping to ease the respiratory disease is not backed by data despite more people advocating for the drug. 

Salvana, a member of the technical advisory group that advises the Department of Health (DOH), also cautioned against using ivermectin, citing potential side effects.

This is the reason, IP Biotech chairman Enrique Gonzalez said in the statement, that the drug should undergo local clinical trials as the fight against the pandemic "requires a multifaceted approach." 

“Ivermectin cannot be used on a mass scale safely unless it is validated through clinical trials and proper FDA registration. This is to ensure the safety and efficacy of a product before being made accessible to people,” Gonzalez was quoted as saying. 

"IPB and Ambica seek to work closely with regulators and an independently run clinical trial to validate ivermectin

as a treatment for COVID19," he added. 

Ambica's vice president also noted of the drug's "potential" in treating patients with the coronavirus, subject to clinical trial validation and regulatory approval. 

Ivermectin recently made headlines this week after Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor said he would distribute ivermectin to the sick and elderly in Quezon City, despite FDA warnings.

According to the DOH, ivermectin products registered in the country are for veterinary use, and are only allowed for the treatment of internal and external parasites as well as prevention of heartworm disease.

Despite previous warnings by international health organizations, the FDA has granted an undisclosed hospital a compassionate use permit of ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment.

The World Health Organization has also warned against the use of ivermectin in patients with COVID-19 except for clinical trials because of inconclusive evidence.

Merck, an ivermectin manufacturer, has also said its analysis did not support the drug's safety and efficacy for COVID-19.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/10/21/distribution-firms-seek-local-clinical-trials-before-fda-on-ivermectin-use-for-covid-19-treatment

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Harry Roque nasa ospital muli dahil sa COVID-19

Naka-admit ngayon sa ospital si Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque para magpagaling sa coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

Unang inanunsiyo ni Roque na nagka-COVID-19 siya noong Marso 15 pero gumaling din siya rito. 

Nagnegatibo naman siya sa coronavirus noong Marso 25, pero hindi malinaw kung kailan siya muling dinapuan ng sakit. 

Hinimok ng kalihim ang publiko na maging mas maingat dahil sa mabilis ang pagkalat ngayon ng sakit. 

“I am now admitted in a hospital for Covid treatment. This is to say that COVID-19 is more transmissible now so we have to do extra precaution,” aniya sa isang pahayag. 

Unang sinabi ng mga source na na-admit si Roque sa Philippine General Hospital dahil sa COVID-19, sa loob ng Department of Pay Patient Service. 

Gumamit noon ng non-invasive breathing support si Roque, at kinailangang ikabit sa Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure, isang uri ng ventilator. 

Nangyari ang pag-oospital kay Roque sa harap ng pag-uulat na may mga napupuno nang mga ospital dahil sa pagdami ng COVID-19 patients. 

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/10/21/harry-roque-nasa-ospital-muli-dahil-sa-covid-19

Suspek na tulak ng droga, patay sa shootout sa Nueva Ecija

P170,000 halaga ng droga nasamsam

Napatay sa shootout sa Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija ang isang lalaking itinuturong tulak umano ng ilegal na droga.

Kinilala ng mga pulis ang suspek na si Roberto Dela Cruz, na nakipagbarilan umano sa gitna ng isang anti-illegal drug operation sa Purok 7, Barangay Talipapa.

Ayon sa mga awtoridad, nakuha kay Dela Cruz ang limang sachet ng hinihinalang shabu na may street value na P171,632.

Nakuha rin sa kanya ang isang caliber-.38 na revolver. 

Kamakailan lang may apat ng suspek, kasama ang isang SK chairman, ang nahuli sa magkakahiwalay na operasyon kontra ilegal na droga sa Nueva Ecija. -- Ulat ni Gracie Rutao

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/10/21/suspek-na-tulak-ng-droga-patay-sa-shootout-sa-nueva-ecija

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6.1-magnitude quake rocks Davao Occidental

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook Davao Occidental Saturday afternoon, with Phivolcs reporting its epicenter in the waters southwest of Sarangani.

The quake, which was tectonic in origin, hit at 5:30 p.m., Phivolcs said in its advisory. It initially reported a magnitude of 5.9 then upgraded the measurement at past 6 p.m. Saturday.

The earthquake's epicenter was at 148 kilometer southwest of Sarangani.

Intensity III was felt in General Santos City, while Intensity II was reported in Monkayo, Davao de Oro.

An instrumental intensity of Intensity I was recorded in Alabel, Sarangani.

While no damage was reported as of this writing, aftershocks are expected, Phivolcs said.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/10/21/61-magnitude-quake-rocks-davao-occidental

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OCTA seeks another week of ECQ as virus transmission further slows in NCR

OCTA on Saturday recommended a week-long extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the "NCR Plus" bubble as virus transmission continued to slow down in Metro Manila.

Based on its latest monitoring report, OCTA said the reproduction number (R) in the National Capital Region decreased to 1.23 this week (April 3 to April 9) from 1.88 the week before ECQ, which means the strictest lockdown is slowing the virus spread.

Last week's R naught was at 1.65, based on the research group's earlier presentation. 

The R value measures the average number of people that one infected person passes the disease to. An R value above 1 can lead to exponential growth.

OCTA, however, pointed out that the lower testing, down by 19 percent from last week, could mean that "the findings may be subject to corrections once newer data come in." 

If an ECQ extension is not possible, the researchers are suggesting a minimum of 2 weeks of a modified ECQ. 

"The positivity rate in the NCR was 25 percent over the past week... the ECQ has been effective in reducing the growth rate and reproduction number in the NCR. There is hope that the NCR will be on a downward trend by next week," the report read. 

"Extend the ECQ for another week to continue to slow down the surge, decongest our hospitals and relieve the pressure on our healthcare workers," it added, pointing out that reopening the economy "prematurely would be a significant risk." 

The government placed Metro Manila and 4 nearby provinces Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, and Cavite— collectively, the NCR Plus— under ECQ on March 29 due to record-high coronavirus infections, a bulk of which came from these areas. 

The period is set to lapse on April 11, with government expected to announce quarantine levels later Saturday.

But the research unit said another week of ECQ would be needed to decrease further the growth of infections and decongest hospitals in the NCR Plus bubble, which are nearing the breaking point due to a stream of fresh admissions. 

According to the report, Metro Manila cities Taguig, Makati, Muntinlupa, Malabon, San Juan have already reached 100 percent intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy. 

The cities of Bacoor and Imus in Cavite, and Antipolo in Rizal have also reported full ICU utilization. 

Quezon City (89%), Manila (88%), Las Pinas (82%) and Pasay (85%) are also nearing full ICU occupancy. 

"Government should continue its efforts to expand testing tracing and isolation to accelerate the regions' exit from ECQ," the researchers noted. 

The government is distributing modular tents to struggling hospitals and re-deploying health workers from regions where virus transmission rates are low. 

For the past week the country has also been reporting record-high cases and deaths. 

To date, the Philippines has confirmed 840,554 coronavirus infections, with 14,520 fatalities and 647,683 recoveries.

The OCTA Research Group estimates that the total number of cases in the country will reach 1 million by the end of April.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/10/21/octa-seeks-another-week-of-ecq-as-virus-transmission-further-slows-in-ncr