The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is scouting for at least 300 coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) patients that they can utilize for the clinical trials involving melatonin.
This idea was presented by Dr. Rafael Castillo of Manila Doctors Hospital after seeing promising results from COVID-19 patients who were treated with melatonin.
Melatonin is a natural hormone used as a natural sleeping aid. It is usually given to people who have trouble maintaining a normal body clock.
“Melatonin, iniinom iyon ng mga hindi makatulog. Over-the-counter drug ito kaya pwede ka umorder sa mga online and it’s a relatively cheap medicine. Nagpropose sila na ito’y isasagawa, malaki, malakihan e siguro mga 300 plus participants,” DOST Secretary Fortunato Dela Peña said in Teleradyo on Wednesday.
Despite that, Dela Peña clarified that it will only serve as a supplementary as it cannot fully cure the coronavirus.
Furthermore, he admitted that they are having a hard time looking for participants due to the drop of moderate to severe cases.
“Kaya lang napansin natin medyo madalang ang cases, diba bumababa. Kahit yung VCO [virgin coconut oil] trial namin sa PGH [Philippine General Hospital] for severe and moderate, nahirapan kami makadagdag ng mga participants dahil nga medyo umonti na ang admission ng severe and moderate cases,” he added.
As of writing, the Department of Health has reported 421,722 with 26,745 active cases, 386,792 recoveries, and 8,185 deaths.
Photo Credit: Facebook/Fortunato de la Peña
