Philippines warns public about social media posts claiming Fabunan drug can treat coronavirus
- Food and Drug Administration has issued cease-and-desist order against the use of the Fabunan anti-viral injection, developed by Philippine doctor
- Since the coronavirus outbreak, some social media posts have claimed that the anti-viral drug was ‘the Covid-19 buster’
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a cease-and-desist order against the use of the Fabunan anti-viral injection, amid reports that more people were getting the medication, said Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.
“To date, there has not been any record of the [Fabunan anti-viral injection] applying with the FDA,” the Department of Health said in a statement. “The department will continue to update our people of any scientifically proven developments in our fight against Covid-19.”
Ruben Fabunan, a physician now based in the US, developed the anti-viral drug together with three brothers, who are all doctors. They have a family clinic in a province north of Manila, where the injection is available to their patients.
The Fabunan Medical Clinic has issued a notice on its Facebook page that the anti-viral drug was “not commercially sold” and is “used exclusively” at the facility by its doctors.
Vergeire said the FDA was already building a case against the unregistered drug.