THE PHILIPPINES will produce its own ivermectin dose so that the country need not buy the controversial anti-parasitic drug that some claim to cure Covid19.

The Department of Science and Technology will create a team to develop the drug, Undersecretary Rowena Guevarra said.

“‘Yung ivermectin capsule ay sa University of the Philippines Manila College of Pharmacy gagawin, hindi na kami bibili ng regular na formula kasi gusto namin may sarili kaming dosage,” she told Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday.

Guevarra said that the team made its decision because of the delay in the international clinical trial on ivermectin.

The international study on ivermectin, of which the Philippines is a participant, aims to assess the medicine’s efficacy, safety, and its effect on the viral clearance of asymptomatic, and non-severe Covid19 cases in isolation facilities.

“Yung (the) clinical trial management system has been established with the UP Diliman College of Engineering, ang (the) study site sa National Capital Region — Ateneo, De La Salle, UP Diliman, and the Makati Science High School  quarantine facilities,” she said.

“Also, magre-recruit sa Region 2 and Region 11. The target in patient recruitment is within October. And preliminary result is expected by end-December,” Guevarra said.

Moreover, she noted that only patients in isolation facilities are targeted for the trials.