Philippine Medical Association not avoiding ivermectin issue

CNN – Published May 5, 2021 7:01:32 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 5) — The Philippine Medical Association said it is not avoiding any discussion on the effectivity of ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.

“Bakit naman po kami iiwas, sila po ang umiiwas…Ang sa amin po ay ethical side na para po sa nakakaraming mga Pilipino, sa kagalingan po ng mga Pilipino ay kailangan po natin. Iyon po ang sinasabi namin na dapat ay dumaan sa tamang proseso ang paggamit,” PMA president Dr. Benito Atienza said at the Laging Handa briefing Wednesday.

[Translation: Why would we avoid it, they are the ones avoiding it… What we are saying is on the ethical side for the majority of Filipinos, we need it for the good of the Filipino. We are saying its use has to go through the correct process.]

Atienza said they would wait for the results of local studies to determine whether or not ivermectin is an effective treatment against COVID-19.

The group also denied having vested interests in the issue nor were they defending large pharmaceutical companies.

“Yung desisyon ng PMA ay galing sa specialty socieities. Kami po ay nagpupulong bago maglabas ng statement…Meron pong ethics of medical profession ang Philippine Medical Association…Wala rin po kaming kaugnayan sa mga ahente ng gamot kasi nasa ethics…na nakasaad na bawal mag-endorse ang isang duktor ng gamot sa publiko,” he said.

[Translation: The PMA’s decision comes from specialty societies. We meet before releasing a statement…The Philippine Medical Association follows the ethics of the medical profession…We are not connected to those selling medicines because a doctor is not allowed to endorse medicine to the public.]

Over the weekend, the PMA released a statement saying it was standing by previous statements made by the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Health, and the World Health Organization that there is not enough evidence to conclude that ivermectin is an effective treatment for COVID-19.

Last week, the DOH said it would ask the Professional Regulation Commission to probe the reported release of “invalid” prescriptions for ivermectin during a recent distribution event in Quezon City. The department would endorse reports to the PRC to investigate the veracity of these prescriptions and “impose sanctions as deemed necessary” against concerned parties.

The DOH said it would investigate possible lapses during the distribution of ivermectin, including all involved personalities and doctors.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/5/5/philippine-medical-association-ivermectin.html???