THE Philippine National Police through the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will arrest people who will use and market the unregulated drug Ivermectin, which has not been allowed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human use, but is widely touted as a cure for Covid-19.
A PNP statement on Sunday, through its spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana, said the CIDG has issued a directive to field offices around the country help the FDA in preventing the unregulated sale and distribution of Ivermectin.
While reports claimed that Ivermectin could be an effective anti-Covid-19 drug, its version for human use – apart from a cream for topical use for skin disease — has not been allowed yet by the FDA and therefore its use and distribution in the country is still illegal. Last week, the FDA allowed “compassionate use” to an unnamed hospital, meaning, the doctor administering such takes full responsibility for any effects.
CIDG director Major Gen. Albert Ignatius Ferro said the operations against the use of Ivermectin was in response to President Duterte’s directive for the CIDG to take appropriate action against the unregulated use of the anti-parasitic drugs.
Meanwhile, the PNP recorded two more deaths from Covid-19, bringing to 42 the total number of its personnel who have died in the pandemic.
The two latest fatalities were a policeman and a non-uniformed personnel assigned at the Manila Police District and Camp Crame, respectively.
The PNP said that as of April 9, at least 16,975 of its personnel have been infected by Covid-19. Of the number, 14,477 have recovered while 2,456 are considered active cases.
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