The Philippines is set to resume the solidarity trials for hydroxychloroquine as the world continues to assess the viability of the drug as a possible treatment against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The World Health Organization temporarily put a halt to the clinicaltrials in May following reports from medical journal The Lancet that put light on some of the side effects of hydroxychloroquine. WHO has announced that it is now safe to continue with the trials which has been administered by 20 participating hospitals to a total of 220 patients in the country.
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“They have now decided that it is ok and we will again include hydroxychloroquine, ili-lift na yung pag-stop at itutuloy na natin ang gamutan dito sa hydroxychloroquine (they will lift the suspension and we will now continue the use of treatment),” said Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
Undersecretary Vergeire said that the Philippines dutifully follows directives from the World Health Organization which was the reason why clinical trials in the Philippines were temporarily stopped during May. She stated that the WHO came to the decision due to the evolving nature of the virus as well.
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Maraming mga tao ang magsasabi pabago-bago pero kami we stand by the position na ito ‘yong evolving nature of the disease and decisions may really be changed quite fast because of these new (pieces of evidence) that we get every day,” said Undersecretary Vergeire.
