In Support of Ethnopharmacological Practices: Exploring a Long-Term Solution for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 in the Philippines.

Abstract

Several efforts are initiated worldwide regarding the rapid search for potential coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) treatment. In a recent article published in this journal, the authors affirmed this continuous search for therapeutic options and they presented ruxolitinib as a potential treatment approach for severe COVID-19 [1]. In relation to this, developing countries such as the Philippines faces a big challenge concerning this endeavor since the government are having a difficult time in purchasing such medicines due to complicated policies for imported drugs, lack of funds, public’s fear of the drugs’ side effects, and even delay in delivery. With this, I suggest that the facilitation of ethnopharmacological approaches must be explored. The discovering and testing of other “safer” alternatives, with lesser side effects, may cause a big difference in developing an effective response to the disease. This may also address vaccine hesitancy as well as solve the problem of vaccine/drug unavailability and delivery since they will be produced locally. Thus, the government must give equal priority and full support to a plant-based intervention. The country still depends on the technological advancement from other nations that is why all the vaccines/drugs are imported abroad. However, it is important to note that the Philippines is renowned as one of the species-rich countries with regard to medicinal plants. This reality can pave way for the development of a “homegrown” vaccine/drug which will not only be economically helpful but will address the interconnected problems mentioned.