THE Department of Health on Sunday said a case is being prepared against those behind the “Fabunan antiviral injection” which claims to be capable of treating the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the product has not been registered with the Food and Drug Administration. Under the FDA Law, it is illegal to manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute, promote, or advertise any health product that is adulterated, unregistered, or misbranded.
“They still have not applied for CPR (certificate of product registration). They were already issued a cease and desist order by the FDA. (So a) case buildup is being done already,” said Vergeire.
A video circulated last month showing a man talking about the Fabunan injection, with a message at the bottom of the screen that said it as a cure for COVID-19 and has been approved. More recently, social media posts said communities in Zambales have been given Fabunan shots at a cost of around P3,000. Other reports said Fabunan is patented antiviral drug against dengue and was developed by a Filipino physician.
Vergeire said government is strictly implementing the FDA Law because of dangers posed by unregistered products.
“We do this for the protection of the public, as many unregistered products have proliferated globally, which might hurt people and even cause death,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said the government is supporting efforts to find a cure for COVID-19.
“The DOH is open to endorse treatments that have gone through rigorous studies, and we encourage local scientists, who may have developed, to apply with the FDA,” she said.
The Philippines has expressed interest to participate in Japan’s clinical trials of the anti-malaria drug Avigan as cure for COVID-19.
Vergeire said the Philippines is still preparing for the start of the Avigan trial despite the emergence of doubts over its efficacy against COVID-19.
“It is important for the Philippines to participate and contribute to the knowledge base for this investigational drug,” said Vergeire.
“We acknowledge the lack of evidence so far, but emphasize that these trials are still ongoing,” she added.
Japan started using the anti-influenza drug Avigan to treat its COVID-19 patients after it received endorsement from no less than Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Last week, however, reports came out that Avigan has not shown, so far, the needed efficacy in treating COVID-19 in Japan.
