Many of us grew up with Combantrin—de-worming cure back in the seventies. With just one dose, Combantrin would get rid of a wide variety of worms, and almost instantly, the erstwhile host of parasites would have his appetite as well as his health restored. Parasites may be too discomfiting a topic for a Monday such as today, but at the height of a pandemic, and midway through seemingly futile efforts at combating an intractable disease, we inevitably find ourselves chatting about worms—and an anti-parasitic drug for animals called Ivermectin. Talk about the animal version of Combantrin.
Last week’s congressional inquiry initiated by the House Committee on Health was abuzz with both advocates and detractors of this medicine. It came about following numerous accounts of an anti-parasitic drug for animals, which is being administered to humans infected with (and are cautious not to be stricken with) Covid-19. In short, Ivermectin is being prescribed and used both as a medical treatment and as prophylaxis for Covid. Interestingly, its proponents are doctors, most of whom are pulmonary and ICU specialists. The more famous local advocate, Dr. Allan Landrito, attests to a 99 percent efficacy rate of this medicine, having compounded and prescribed the drug to approximately 8,000 patients all of whom reportedly recovered and felt well soon after taking it. He was joined in various Zoom webinars by Dr. Benigno Agbayani Jr. of the Concerned Doctors and Citizens of the Philippines.
Championing Ivermectin in the global sphere is Dr. Pierre Kory of the Mt. Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center in New York. He leads the Front Line Covid-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC), organized in March 2020 by “highly published, world renowned Critical Care physician/scholars—with the academic support of allied physicians from around the world—to research and develop lifesaving protocols for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 in all stages of illness.”
In October last year, they added Ivermectin as a “core medication” in the prevention and treatment of Covid-19. Dr. Kory supports Dr. Landrito, making full mention of studies made in various countries proving that Ivermectin is an effective prophylaxis for the virus.
However, these valiant physicians, and a host of many other advocates, face a legal roadblock. Dr. Eric Domingo, the Director General of the local Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pounded the gavel of refusal, stating that while other countries sell oral Ivermectin tablets for humans, “no such product [for the treatment of any viral infection] is registered locally.”
Probably irked by this declaration, Dr. Landrito was heard addressing the FDA head with a query: “Dr. Domingo, nakalimutan mo na yatang doctor ka?” Our Department of Health likewise maintains a diffident stance. This apparent deadlock is what Dr. Agbayani bewails—emphasizing that “science is not like law,” the former “evolves.” Echoing the statements of Dr. Agbayani in a group interview, are doctors and responsible individuals who know their job well and will choose saving their patients over following the law as it is “the highest ethics in medicine.” The same lamentation is shared by Congressman Mike Defensor who cannot understand the excruciatingly lethargic pace of the local approving department anent the vaccines in general, and Ivermectin in particular. Fellow lawmakers Rodante Marcoleta and Virgilio Lacson criticized the bureaucracy for thwarting the availability of a possible cure amid a public health emergency.
With the rollout of the vaccines taking a snail stride, the grim truth haunts our frontliners no end. The AFP Medical Center is at 140 percent capacity. The scenario is replicated everywhere, at every other hospital where patients are “housed” either at tents or inside the ambulance vehicles, waiting for a hospital bed or a slot at the ER to be vacated. Reflecting this depressing reality is a celebrity in the music industry (Ms. Claire de la Fuente) who had to spend days WAITING at a hospital tent just to get admitted until she could no longer breathe and succumbed to death, with not even a chance to receive medical attention. Hospitals are full, the doctors’ and nurses’ hands (and feet) near dead with unending medical emergencies to attend to, and the vaccines, even when administered, cannot offer immediate relief to save the day. And yet here is a drug, costing P32 a capsule, to be taken once a day for five days by an infected patient, which is readily available but is unfortunately placed beyond people’s legal reach.
On this note, Dr. Kory could not be any clearer when he stated before the US Senate Committee hearing in December 2020 that “Ivermectin and the components in the I-Mask+ Protocol could save hundreds of thousands of people around the globe who do not have to die while they await the widespread distribution of the vaccines.”
And so the clock ticks, critically ill people flood the ICUs, and the debate continues. The World Health Organization demands more substantial data for Ivermectin. But the fearless doctors have proffered supportive evidence gathered from over 20 studies, with over 10 of them randomized controlled trials, per the FLCCC—a level of confirmation higher than that of another drug (Remdesivir). A question now begs to be asked, according to Dr. Kory: What other proof is necessary?
More than this controversial medicine, I believe the aforenamed doctors deserve approbation. Not because they wish so, taking note of the fact that they do not stand to earn at all with the possible approval of the drug distribution. Rather, it is on account of the fact that they constitute the breed of individuals called the New Pirates, defined as “passionate people with a sense of purpose.” Lest I be misconstrued, I only resonate the clever and pertinent statement of Zero Dean (author, photographer, CG artist and filmmaker) when he pronounced that when we speak of pirates, we do not talk about rogues in the high seas but about “a completely new generation of individuals—maximizers of potential.” Pirates as described by Mr. Dean, are “captains of their ship. They take responsibility for their own lives.” Exemplifying this trait would be Dr. Landrito who remarked that he is willing to get jailed for his staunch advocacy on Ivermectin. Additional characteristics of the new pirates are: they live with integrity, are compassionate, optimistic in their outlook, and are undeterred by stormy seas, among others.
These doctors-proponents bear the good news of a cure. Their integrity in their field (having hands-on experiences with Covid-19 patients in and out of the hospitals), and their passion for their work in general (saving lives) very well speak for themselves. Most often, the bearer IS THE EVIDENCE.
The government’s requirement, therefore, for more proof on Ivermectin can be taken as a further unnecessary questioning when the evidence is already right in its face, with a host of successful recipients, all alive and testifying to how the said anti-parasitic drug saved their precious lives.
This reminds me of a similar questioning propounded by the apostle Philip of the New Testament times (John 14:8-11), when he asked Jesus, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” Obviously, this follower of Christ requested, albeit pointlessly, for more evidence after hearing his Master say that He is the only Way to the Father in Heaven, and anyone who has seen Him has seen the Father (John 14: 6).
Parenthetically, these doctors, the new pirates and bearers of evidence, should be enough confirmation for the said cure. Just as spiritually speaking, Jesus IS enough proof to make us realize that because of what he did on the cross, His Father is our Father, and His God is our God. And no further evidence is necessary.
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.