MANILA - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday warned the public against using drugs or vaccines with unproven claims that they could cure the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"Currently there are no registered drugs or vaccines that are licensed specifically for use in COVID-19 treatment or prevention," the FDA said in a statement.

The agency said there are "on-going clinical trials" to test the effectiveness and safety of existing drugs, such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-malarial agents, for the treatment of coronavirus patients.

"The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched the Solidarity Trial, a large-scale clinical trial participated [in] by many countries (including the Philippines), which aims to identify evidence-based treatment regimen for COVID-19," the FDA said.

Firms and retailers of unlicensed treatment regimen, such as PRODEX B and the Fabunan Antiviral Injections, were informed that they needed to register their products with the FDA Center for Drug Regulation and Research, according to the agency.

"No applications for product registration have been filed to date. Until such products are proven safe and effective for use in the treatment of COVID-19, they cannot be dispensed to the public nor can therapeutic claims be made," it said.

The FDA said it would continue to ensure "safety and efficacy of products" to protect public health, and committed to cooperate with other concerned agencies to ensure "prompt response" to the COVID-19 pandemic.