DOH halts use of HIV drug

combination for hospitalized

COVID-19 patients
ABS-CBN News
Posted at Jul 05 2020 03:20 PM

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MANILA - The Department of Health said Sunday it would stop the use of combination HIV
drug lopinavir and ritonavir in its treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients following the
World Health Organization's move.

 WHO halts hydroxychloroquine, HIV drugs in COVID trials

The agency had also previously discontinued using anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine,
according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

"Based on the recent evidence and recommendations from our experts, we will be stopping the
use of lopinavir and ritonavir among hospitalized patients," she told reporters.

Patients who have started using lopinavir and ritonavir may complete the whole course of the
treatment, or opt to discontinue, Vergeire said.

The UN agency said the decision, taken on the recommendation of the trial's international
steering committee, does not affect other studies where those drugs are used for non-hospitalized
patients or as a prophylaxis.

 Philippines joins WHO’s clinical trials for COVID-19 cure

The solidarity trial began in March with possible treatment approaches to COVID-19 using
remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, lopinavir/ritonavir, and lopanivir/ritonavir combined with
interferon.

 WHO says looking at interim trial data on HIV drugs to treat COVID-19
 Gilead's remdesivir endorsed as first COVID-19 treatment in Europe

Vergeire said that with the removal of the lopinavir/ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine from the
trials, “we will have remdesivir plus interferon as the new regimen… and standard of care, once
shipment of interferon arrives."
The Philippines on Saturday reported its second largest spike of 1,494 new confirmed COVID-19
cases, raising its total to 41,830. Of this figure, the country tallied 11,453 recoveries and 1,290
deaths.