More than a dozen individuals lined up at a barangay hall in Quezon City on Thursday to get free Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug claimed to be effective against COVID-19 and granted a compassionate special use by the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).
Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Mike Defensor and Sagip Partylist Rep. Rodante Marcoleta set up what they called the "Ivermectin Pan-three" in Barangay Matandang Balara to help "those who are in dire need."
"Matandang Balara has one of the highest incidence of COVID-19 and many areas belong to the poorest of the poor who cannot afford the financial burden of hospitalization," part of the invitation for the event read.
Avelina Jose, 68, said she availed of the free drug as she supposedly learned that it was not only used to cure COVID-19 but also used as prevention against it. Ivermectin is commonly known to be used for dogs.
"Masaya po kasi at least may panangga. Kasi kahit walang sakit, pwede naman pala, preventive naman pala (I'm happy that I have at least protection. Because even though I have no COVID-19, I still can use it because the drug can also be taken as a preventive measure)," she told reporters. "Di natin maaalis yung doubt natin, pero marami din naman yung nag-tetestify sa paggamit nila nito, gumaling sila (We cannot remove our doubts in taking this, but many are also testifying that they got better after using it)."
Prescriptions given to residents were being questioned and drew criticisms on social media. It was because they looked like a plain paper with only the name of the drug. It did not include any name nor a license number of a doctor who prescribed it.
Asked about it, Defensor explained, "what's important are the forms submitted to us which they (interested individuals) submitted a day before."
"Pwede nila hawakan reseta nila (They can have their prescriptions). We have the copies. Hindi naman botika ‘yung kinuhaan. Nasa kabilang table lang (They didn't get the drug from the pharmacy but only from the other table)," he added.
Photos on social media also showed those who wanted to get the free drug had to fill out an "Ivermectin Request Form."
In the said form, interested individuals had to provide their personal details and answer if they are a senior citizen, a COVID-19 positive patient, or someone who has undergone kidney transplant.