MANILA (UPDATED) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said it has granted a certificate of product registration (CPR) for locally-produced ivermectin as an anti-parasitic drug for humans.

The certificate of product registration was issued on May 7, FDA Director General Eric Domingo told ABS-CBN News in a text message.

"Lloyd Laboratories applied for a CPR for locally manufactured ivermectin as an anti-nematode drug," he said.

"It was granted after they submitted data to support quality and stability of the product," he said.

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Nematodes are parasitic roundworms. Ivermectin had been known as a veterinary drug and used in parasite treatment among animals.

However, the FDA has yet to reply to queries on why it has yet to issue a certificate of product registration for the use of ivermectin in COVID-19 treatment, for which some lawmakers have touted the drug as effective.

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Last month, Domingo admitted that the FDA was pressured by several camps to issue a permit for the use of ivermectin in humans in the Philippines. He did not say who pushed the agency to do so.

"Siyempre may pressure sa kung saan-saan pero sa FDA naman po, ina-approve ang application based on merit at basta po naka kumpleto sila ng requirements," FDA Director General Eric Domingo told state television channel PTV.

(There is pressure from different camps but the FDA only approves a drug based on merit and as along as complete requirements have been submitted.)

• FDA admits to 'pressure' in approving ivermectin use for COVID-19 patients

Several doctors have warned the public against using the anti-parasitic drug to treat COVID-19, saying a a number of Filipinos were still infected with the illness despite using ivermectin.

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