Malacañang urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct further study and verify the effectiveness of Fabunan Antiviral Injection to curing the deadly coronavirus disease.

Malacañang Spokesperson Harry Roque said, “why is there no study to prove Fabunan Antiviral Injection if this is safe and effective to cure COVID-19 patients so that once and for all the FDA could declare the FAI is for use to cure the coronavirus disease or not.

“Bakit ba hindi napag-aralan ‘yung sinasabing anti-viral injection ni Fabunan at once and for all, magdeklara ang FDA — ito ba ay safe to use or hindi.” he told in an interview with Radyo Pilipinas according to pna.gov.ph website.

Roque noted that the government need to clarify the efficacy of FAI through scientific examination to be conducted by the FDA if this is really a cure for COVID-19 disease or not so that the public confusion thinking that the FDA can cure the coronavirus disease will stop if ever not proven effective or safety for use.

“Habang hindi ginagawa at hindi nagdedeklara ng ganiyan ang FDA, palaging madaming maniniwala na baka ito (Fabunan) na nga ang lunas” Roque said.

“So sabi ko pag-aralan na nga kung ano iyan at magkaroon na ng pronouncement ang FDA”

“Kinakailangan ay siyensiya pa rin ang umiral nang malaman natin kung iyan ba ay banta o mabuti sa kalusugan ng ating mga kababayan” added Roque.

As to recall, on Tuesday, Roque made an official statement that President Duterte is offering Php10-million reward but lately increase to Php50-million to those who could develop a vaccine against COVID-19.

President also expressed willingness to fund with substantial grant to the University of the Philippines (UP) and Philippine General Hospital to develop a vaccine.