DOH / FDA ON CLAIMS RE: APPROVAL OF POTENTIAL COVID-19 TREATMENTS
The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) clarified claims on the approval of potential COVID-19 treatments and the call for the resignation of the Secretary of Health.
ON THE INITIAL BANNING OF LIANHUA QINGWEN
The DOH and the FDA would like to clarify that Lianhua Qingwen is a prescription medicine approved by FDA in the Philippines but is not registered as a COVID-19 medication. Moreover, the role of the FDA, as per Republic Act (R.A.). 3720, is to license, monitor, and regulate medicines like Lianhua Qingwen for the safety of Filipinos. Any food or medicinal products not registered in the Philippines should not be sold and are subject to seizure or confiscation hence the FDA issued Advisory No. 2020-767 before the registration of Lianhua Qingwen.
It was only on 7 August 2020 that Lianhua Qingwen was able to acquire FDA registration but for purposes of being used as a traditional herbal product that helps remove “heat-toxin invasion of the lungs, including symptoms such as fever, aversion to cold, muscle soreness, stuffy and runny nose”. Additionally, the use of Lianhua Qingwen is only allowed with a doctor’s prescription.
ON BANNING OF IVERMECTIN
All current 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 in animals hence the issuance of FDA Advisory No. 2021-0526. The FDA is currently processing an application filed on 31 March for product registration from concerned parties.