COVID-19 treatments

How Asian countries experiment with potential COVID-19 treatments

Michelle Abad

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How Asian countries experiment with potential COVID-19 treatments

TRADITIONAL MEDICINE. A man prepares ayurvedic medicine in the traditional manner in India. The Indian government advises some traditional remedies as preventive measures, and treatment for asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases.

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In Singapore, a biotech firm’s clinical trials for its drug are closely coordinated with regulators

The Philippine government joins the rest of the world’s authorities in exploring experimental treatments for COVID-19. 

The prolonged pandemic situation has Filipinos turning to potential alternative treatments as vaccines remain scarce, on top of the dilemma of vaccine hesitancy. 

While the vaccination campaign has rolled out around the world, some countries like the Philippines may not be seeing herd immunity within 2021.

How have countries in Asia dealt with experimental drugs and treatments for COVID-19?

Philippines: Numerous options, alleged ‘red tape’ in regulation

In the Philippines, groups within the medical community and government scientists are studying the potential of convalescent plasma, virgin coconut oil (VCO), colchicine, and ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment. 

The Philippine government has faced scrutiny over alleged red tape in allowing alternative treatments for COVID-19. House Deputy Speaker Lito Atienza,for example, has hit the health department’s “double standard” of “promoting” remdesivir while “stonewalling” other, less expensive drugs like human-grade ivermectin. 

There are at least seven treatments being touted as alternative treatments for COVID-19.

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In December 2020, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said that a study it conducted showed that VCO helped reduce the symptoms of probable and suspect COVID-19 cases.

In January 2021, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the department was studying the use of colchicine for severe COVID-19 cases, citing emerging studies.  But she also said use of the drug would still have to go through the country’s regulatory process if it would be used against the virus.

Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital already began colchicine tablet trials, along with aspirin tablets, in September 2020 for mild to moderate cases. As of Wednesday, May 12, the trial is on the third phase with 87 patient participants, trial coordinator Chareece Pudol told Rappler in a phone call.

In April 2021, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered for clinical trials for ivermectin. The DOST targeted for these to start by the end of May.

Singapore: Biotech firm works closely with regulators

In June 2020, Singapore began Phase 1 trials of TY027, a monoclonal antibody or immune system protein that specifically targets SARS-COV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

Locally based biotechnology company Tychan developed the protein together with Singapore’s ministries of health and defense, the Economic Development Board, and other government agencies.

With no proven treatment or vaccine for COVID-19 at the time, Tychan worked in close coordination with regulatory authorities to transition from non-clinical studies to clinical trials for emerging pathogens.

By December 2020, TY027 was approved for Phase 3 clinical trials after Tychan announced the first phase trials were “completed thoroughly and safely.”

Because of Singapore’s low COVID-19 case incidence, the third phase of trials was conducted in partner hospitals abroad as well.

India: Ministry of traditional medicines

Aside from the Indian government’s health ministry, the country also has a Ministry of Ayush (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy), which focuses on natural health remedies.

In October 2020, the ministry released its national clinical management protocol based on traditional medicines as preventive measures, and treatment for asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 cases. 

The protocol also includes yoga practices to “improve respiratory and cardiac efficiency, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance immunity.”

In April 2021, as India experienced an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, the Ayush ministry released guidelines for coronavirus patients in home isolation and preventive measures for self care. 

The ministry included “effective, evidence-based” treatments like AYUSH-64 and Ashwaganda tablets in the guidelines.

Vietnam: Early development of treatment plan

As early as February 2020, even before the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, Vietnam had developed what it saw as an effective treatment plan for coronavirus patients.

In a February 19, 2020, conference, Dr. Luong Ngoc Khue of the health ministry’s Department of Medical Examination and Treatment said the health sector immediately convened with experts and professors to develop and update guidelines for early treatment.

The guidelines were then implemented in health facilities nationwide.

With this treatment plan, among other factors like a well-invested health system and thorough contact tracing, Vietnam was able to maintain one of the lowest COVID-19 case counts in Southeast Asia. As of Wednesday, May 12, it has just over 3,500 total confirmed cases since the pandemic began.

In the Southeast Asian region, Vietnam has the closest population to the Philippines’ 110 million, at 95.5 million. The Philippines, meanwhile, has 1.1 million confirmed cases as of Tuesday, May 11. – Rappler.com

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Michelle Abad

Michelle Abad is a multimedia reporter at Rappler. She covers the rights of women and children, migrant Filipinos, and labor.