A TOTAL of 117 patients are now enrolled from 15 study sites as the country participates in the World Health Organization (WHO) Solidarity Trial in support of the Covid-19 global response, an official of the Department of Health (DOH) said on Sunday.
This, as the DOH reported 208 new cases (PH12306-PH12513) of Covid-19. The total number of cases in the country is now at 12,513.
The DOH also announced 74 new recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 2,635. There were also seven additional deaths. The death toll now stands at 824.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that 14 of the Solidarity trial sites are from National Capital Region and 1 from Davao.
“Out of the 15 sites, four are public hospitals (three in NCR, one in Davao),” said Vergerie, who will serve as the official liaison for the DOH to the WHO Solidarity clinical trial.
Vergeire disclosed, meanwhile, that the full shipment of Remdesivir, one of the drugs for trial, was already delivered.
“Still awaiting for the deliveries of other Investigational Product -drugs included in the trial (HCQ, Interferon and Lopnavir/Retonavir),” she added.
The participation of the DOH was approved by the Single Joint Research Ethics Board (SJREB). The latter is a level 3 Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB)-accredited research ethics committee which conducts joint review of study protocols for at least three sites in the Philippines.
The Philippine representatives to the WHO Solidarity clinical trial is led by Dr. Marissa Alejandria of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine and President of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, in close collaboration with the DOH and the WHO.
“We are optimistic that this megatrial, with over 90 participating countries, will promote the rapid generation of strong evidence for treating Covid-19, and ultimately stem this pandemic,” Vergeire said.
WHO earlier launched an international randomized and adaptive clinical trial “Solidarity” to test the safety and effectiveness of four possible therapies in treating Covid-19, compared to standard of care: the investigational antiviral Remdesivir, antimalarial drug Chloroquine or Hydroxychloroquine, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV Lopinavir with Ritonavir, and Lopinavir with Ritonavir plus Interferon beta-1a.
More than 100 countries have joined the Solidarity Trial with more than 1,200 patients randomized from the first five countries, to evaluate the safety and efficacy of four drugs and drug combinations.
“There is currently no magic drug or known treatment for Covid-19 and there is an urgency to find effective treatment,” explained the Vergeire.
The drugs included in this trial are largely untested against SARS-COV 2 virus that causes Covid-19, and more robust data is needed.
WHO acting representatives Dr Socorro Escalante and Dr Tauhid Islam said they are glad to partner with the Philippines and other countries around the world to help find an effective treatment for Covid-19.
They said that as more countries participate in the Solidarity Trial, the quicker they be able to see results.
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