UK’s new antiviral drug “not a cure for COVID-19”, according to DOH.
The Department of Health (DOH) reminded the public that the UK’s new antiviral drug can’t be used by any patient with COVID-19.
This, as Maria Rosario Vergeire, the Undersecretary of the Department of Health, on Wednesday said that the DOH was alarmed about the said drug, as such, the department wanted to clarify that dexamethasone was “not a cure for COVID-19”. She added that the DOH also wanted to warn the public against the “unregulated use or administration” of the said drug.
The Department of Health’s warning came after the World Health Organization (WHO) previously hailed dexamethasone as “a lifesaving scientific breakthrough” in treating patients with coronavirus disease.
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Vergerie also said that dexamethasone was yet to undergo a peer review process in order to assure the drug’s safety and efficacy, adding that the said drug was intended to be part of “supportive care” and administered on critical patients with COVID-19. She also warned the public against hoarding and buying dexamethasone for self-medication.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health reported that the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in the Philippines already reached over 27,000 as of 4:00 p.m. of June 17.
READ ALSO: Coronavirus Cases In The Philippines Now Over 27,000
Lastly, Vergerie restated that the best way to protect themselves was to have a regular hand washing, wear masks, social distancing, and proper cough etiquette.
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