The attached write-up in Manila Times by Mr Ricardo Saludo is right in some aspect. But he forgot to tackle the very main issue of why Malacańang, Government agencies like DOH, FDA, DOST, RITM, PITAHC is "not inviting" personally Dr Ruben Fabunan, the scientist-inventor himself, to defend his inventions to proved why FAI can be considered as a treatment for Covid19.
Yes, it is correct that the FAI patent approval both in the US and here in the Philippines pertain treatment to specific viral diseases and not for Covid19, as it need clinical trial still. The only solution to find out is for Dr Ruben Fabunan to present in front of the experts and explain fully his inventions and clinical test to follow, in agreement and complying to all legal parameters.
The expiration of the patent in the U.S. is immaterial at this stage, as we are dealing now with a specific treatment for Covid19. Therefore, everybody must considered that application of the Fabunans is "new application" to deal with Covid19 specifically. As FAI is curing Influenza, Snake Bites, HIV, Chikungunya and Dengue and not yet proven for Covid19 specifically. Reason why they still apply for a new LTO and CPR.
It is also worth to note that in 1992 an FDA Administrative Order was signed by the late DOH Sec Juan Flavier that during epidemic the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency under the DOH, gives out Compassionate Special Permits under its Administrative Order no.4s.1992. These permits grant medical institution -the privilege to avail of an "unregistered drug", medical device, or food product through a licensed importer for a specific kind/type of patients, specific volume and period. Maybe Dr Flavier then, foresighted that an epidemic will arise and there will be a need to explore using "unregistered drug" to fight the epidemic. This is the very same reason of US FDA giving legal authority to used Remdesivir to be explore as possible vaccine to fight Covid19.
Further, Procaine and Dexamethasone which are component drugs of FAI can be bought over the counter, meaning it is already approved by FDA worldwide. What we think DOH and FDA questioned continuously is the mixture of this drugs.
Merely, basing all in social media noise and write-ups, Mr Saludo is correct that it "may" mislead some people. And in order to stop this misleading is for the Government to invite personally Dr Ruben Fabunan to give his important piece ref the only possible available cure on hand now that the inventor is a Filipino scientist-doctor.
Mr. Saludo and other medical experts just forgot Erythromycin, an antibiotic used for the treatment of a number of bacterial infections. This includes respiratory tract infections, skin infections, chlamydia infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, and syphilis. It may also be used during pregnancy to prevent Group B streptococcal infection in the newborn, as well as to improve delayed stomach emptying. It can be given intravenously and by mouth. An eye ointment is routinely recommended after delivery to prevent eye infections in the newborn.
Erythromycin was invented in 1949 by Abelardo B. Aguilar, a Filipino scientist, sent some soil samples to his employer Eli Lilly. Eli Lilly’s research team, led by J. M. McGuire, managed to isolate erythromycin from the metabolic products of a strain of Streptomyces erythreus(designation changed to Saccharopolyspora erythraea) found in the samples.
Having reminded the above historical facts, we are proud of Mr Abelardo Aguilar that contributed to the treatment of BACTERIAL diseases. And now another Filipino Doctor Scientist Dr. Ruben Fabunan invented in 1975 the Fabunan Anti-viral Injection a Virucidal Sterilizing Cure for major VIRAL diseases - why not give it a chance. Not judging and concluding by means of write-ups and social media discussions and not diverting the patent issue to a different perspective, but hit the very point of letting Dr Ruben Fabunan present his invention in the presence of all expert in the medical field and Government Agencies and to defend his invention in front of those questioning its eficacy.
NO TIME TO WASTE, AS GOVERNMENT FUND WILL BE DRIED AND EMERGENCY POWER OF PRRD WILL END, SOON!
Excerpt from Manila Times:
https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/05/17/opinion/columnists/topanalysis/baseless-claims-delay-covid-19-cure-trials/725343/