Netizens got disappointed with TV host Korina Sanchez for posting about her Ivermectin medication.
On social media, Sanchez announced that she is now “certified vaccinated”. She also admitted that she takes ivermectin every two weeks to combat COVID-19.
“Am certified vaccinated. But am not totally immune to infection. So I STILL wear a mask and stay away from crowds. I take my Vit C, D and zinc daily. I take ivermectin every two weeks. I still quarantine and take Covid tests before joining groups. The BEST of life is yet to come. Let’s all be around when that happens. 💚 #BestLife #ingatangatbakunalahat @BakunaSikat,” she wrote.
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On Twitter, she gained the ire of many netizens as well as medical professionals. Some pharmacists and doctors disapproved of her use of Ivermectin as it is not effective in treating or preventing COVID-19.
Adding to this, the professionals said she is misleading the public through her social media post.
WHAT??? Ivermectin every two weeks???Uod ka ghourl? pic.twitter.com/7DXEpsleE5
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) July 25, 2021
“IVM is not a viable option to treat COVID-19 patients.”
Link: https://t.co/RnkKcdlA0E pic.twitter.com/NT6bqhOdp2
— Arshie Larga (@Arshiethromycin) July 25, 2021
korina sanchez after taking ivermectin pic.twitter.com/yNYd333Dd8
— ♱ (@stelarboi) July 25, 2021
Ivermectin IS NOT SAFE AND EFFECTIVE as “prevention” or “cure” for COVID-19.
Pagod na ang mga doctors, medical societies, at scientists sa kakaulit ng paalala.
Nakaka-disappoint yung mga taong sobrang laki ng platform tapos nagkakalat ng kasinungalingan na makakapahamak ng iba.
— Justin Dizon (@iamjustindizon) July 25, 2021
While many contradicted the effectiveness of Ivermectin against COVID-19, some netizens defended that it’s Sanchez’s choice when she took the Ivermectin.
However, a doctor with a twitter handle Jai Cabajar said this may be true but he pointed out that health workers are responsible for telling people what’s proven to be effective and what’s not.
Just as much as may karapatan tayong gawin ang gusto sa katawan natin, may responsibilidad din ang mga healthcare workers to tell people what’s proven to be effective and what’s not. Take a seat. https://t.co/42HY10j3YY
— Jai Cabajar (@jaicabajar) July 25, 2021
In an article from the Food and Drug Administration’s site, it is stated that “FDA has not approved ivermectin for use in treating or preventing COVID-19 in humans. Ivermectin tablets are approved at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical (on the skin) formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea. Ivermectin is not an anti-viral (a drug for treating viruses).”
It is also said that taking large doses of this drug is “dangerous and can cause serious harm.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the drug only be used within clinical trials. It is also said that the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is inconclusive.
In the Philippines, Rep. Mike Defensor of the Anakalusugan Party-list previously recommended that the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) must fast-track the clinical trials on the use of Ivermectin as it is “a cheaper alternative for poor Covid-19 patients.”
This is not the first time when Korina was called out for her social media posts. Previously, the TV host posted photos of herself using Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation or EBOO machine to “clean” her blood.
The post is meant to promote her feature about the machine on Rated Korina. She also endorsed the procedure.
She received criticisms from the netizens who claimed that she is using the alleged dialysis machine for her gains instead of providing it to those who really need it.