Department of Health(DOH)

Dear Mr. Cuartero, Please be informed that we have endorsed your request to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for action. Kindly await for their response. Thank you.

December 28, 2022 Dear Ryan Cuartero, I refer to my letter of Nov 13, 2022 09:50:12 PM; about your request under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch, for Ivermictin. Our response to your request is due on Dec 02, 2022 09:50:12 PM. Unfortunately, it is taking longer than expected to deal with your request because we awaited for the response from FDA I apologize for this delay but have applied for an extension so we could work further on your request. We hope to be able to send you a response on or before Dec 30, 2022 09:50:12 PM. Should you have any questions regarding your request, kindly contact me using the reply function on the eFOI portal at https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/aglzfmVmb2ktcGhyHQsSB0NvbnRlbnQiEERPSC00MjE1ODU4NjM1MzMM, for request with ticket number #DOH-421585863533. Thank you. Respectfully, FOI Decision Maker FOI Officer

December 28, 2022 Dear Ryan Cuartero, Greetings! Thank you for your request dated Nov 13, 2022 09:50:12 PM under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your Request You asked for Ivermictin. Response to Request Your FOI request is approved. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not recommend the use of Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 Infection. You may also refer to the following web articles and released FDA Advisory for further information about the recommendation of the DOH and FDA regarding the use of Ivermectin for the Treatment of COVID-19: • FDA Advisory No. 2021-0526: Public Health warning on the Purchase and Use of Ivermectin Veterinary products for COVID-19 • DOH press release (2021) entitled: DOH and FDA Clarify Claims On The Approval Of Potential Covid-19 Treatments And Calls For Resignation Of The SOH: (https://doh.gov.ph/doh-press-release/DOH-AND-FDA-CLARIFY-CLAIMS-ON- THE-APPROVAL-OF-POTENTIAL-COVID-19-TREATMENTS-AND-CALLS- FOR-RESIGNATION-OF-THE-SOH) • Philippine News Agency (2021) entitled: DOH insists Ivermectin not cure for Covid-19: (https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1153855) To date, the approved indication of the FDA-registered Ivermectin Tablet, Capsule, Cream, and Lotion are ANTI-PARASITIC only and NOT for the treatment of COVID-19. We hope this satisfies the inquiry. Thank you. Your right to request a review If you are unhappy with this response to your FOI request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response by writing to the Central Appeals and Review Committee, at [email protected]. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made within 15 calendar days from the date when you received this letter. We will complete the review and tell you the result within 30 calendar days from the date when we receive your review request. If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Office of the President under Administrative Order No. 22 (s. 2011). Thank you. Respectfully, FOI Decision Maker FOI Receiving Officer