The clinical trial on VCO as adjunct COVID-19 treatment may be completed “within July”, according to DOST.
On Wednesday, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that the clinical trial on Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) as adjunct COVID-19 treatment may be completed “within July”.
During the Laging Handa public briefing, DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said that the department had been conducting clinical trials using VCO to assist COVID-19 treatment but there were some challenges that hampered the progress of the study.
“Sa tingin ko po ang matatapos lamang [na clinical trials] sa end-June ay sa lagundi. Yun pong sa virgin coconut oil ay within July,” de la Peña said.
De la Peña also said that there were some factors that affected the progress of clinical trials on VCO such as the number of participants needed.
According to him, they needed those who were suspect and probable cases of COVID-19 or those with moderate and severe coronavirus symptoms.
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There’s also a need to analyze their comorbidities when they participated in the clinical trial. De la Peña noted the importance of taking into consideration the comorbidities of the patients before undergoing the clinical trial.
Another factor, de la Peña noted, was that the study was being done at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila. However, the fire that broke out in the said hospital last May also affected the timeline of the clinical trial on VCO.
It was last May when the DOST said that based on initial findings, VCO can be utilized to avoid “further transmission of the virus” and as a “viable and affordable treatment” against the coronavirus disease.
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