DOH to continue using anti-malaria drug for COVID-19

Department of Health Spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department will continue using a controversial anti-malaria drug in an ongoing clinical trial for COVID-19.

Vergeire said the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a temporary stop on the use of the drug hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 patients. 

She added that the DOH already stopped giving new hydroxychloroquine prescriptions to COVID-19 patients in the country after the WHO removed it from its list of four drugs undergoing trials. It was removed because of safety concerns.

Vergeire however said those who have already started taking it will continue until a so-called adverse event happens to them. 

“Itong adverse event na ito ay hindi naman sinasabi na maaring mangyari sa lahat ng tumatanggap nitong hydroxychloroquine. So tayo po ay magtutuloy nitong pagbibigay ng mga gamot na ito sa ating mga naitala nang pasyente dito sa ating bansa (This adverse event won’t happen to all taking hydroxychloroquine. So we will continue giving the drug to listed patients in our country),” she said. 

Vergeire clarified that physicians will follow WHO recommendations and closely monitor COVID-19 patients taking hydroxychloroquine.

Other drugs being investigated as possible treatment for COVID-19 are Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug, Lopinavir with Ritonavir, the anti-retroviral drug used to treat HIV; and Lopinavir with Ritonavir plus Interferon beta-1.

Vergeire said there is still no locally made medicine available for COVID-19.    

The DOH official also said they are now preparing charges against those behind the so-called Fabunan medicine, which is heavily promoted though it is yet to be proven and registered as a treatment for the coronavirus disease. 

She urged the public to avoid taking the Fabunan drug as it is still considered unsafe.