A Covid-19 cure may just be right under our noses

By ANSBERT B. JOAQUIN | Olongapo City

(Updated March 28, 2020 / 1:55 pm)

WHILE countries all over the world race against time to find an antidote to the highly infectious Covid-19, anti-viral vaccines that could be a game-changer in the fight against this deadly disease may just be in our neighborhood.

The first one was developed by the Fabunan family of doctors in San Marcelino, Zambales who for years now has been treating patients for dengue, chikungunya, dog bite, snake bite, and even HIV/AIDS with their Fabunan anti-viral injection (FAI).

Dr. Willie Fabunan, who now maintains clinics in San Marcelino and in Olongapo City, has recorded the successful treatment of nine out of ten HIV/AIDS patients way back when he was still practicing in his hometown in 1999.

Willie’s elder brother Ruben, who is now based in Los Angeles, California, founded the Fil-Am Tech, a private biotechnology firm, and began treating patients suffering from HIV/AIDS with the same drug.

What is significant is that this vaccine, Dr. Willie Fabunan told this reporter in earlier interviews, is just a combination of drugs anyone can buy over-the-counter from drugstores.

“We just changed the ratio of these combination drugs in treating various ailments,” Fabunan said, stressing the safety of his drug combo.

ALTERNATIVE CURE

As Covid-19 claims more lives in the country, Dr. Fabunan is offering this same drug as a potent remedy against the dreaded disease.

In a recent interview over a local radio station, Fabunan said that he has proven the efficacy of FAI for many years now since he started medical practice in 1981.

The problem, he added, is having the FAI combination approved by the government. “They’re looking for (clinical) trials, but I don’t have any because this is a private venture and we are not being funded,” he said.

But Fabunan said that in the absence of a cure for Covid-19, the government should consider the drug cocktail they developed.

“There are already health workers and doctors dying, what are (the authorities) waiting for when they don’t have any alternative to offer?” he asked. “Let us try to look into this (drug) and understand what it is, and give us some support because we’re not doing this for ourselves but for the whole country, the whole world who needs this.”

BATTING FOR PRODEX-B

Meanwhile, another local group has started an online petition for the Department of Health (DOH) to test their anti-viral drug which they named Prodex-B.

Health for Life president and former Olongapo City councilor John Carlos delos Reyes said it is crucial for the DOH to consider Prodex-B for immediate testing as a potential Covid-19 cure.

“We have focused enough on quarantines, lockdowns, testing kits, PPEs, more money from Congress. These are preventive and defensive, very expensive and will drain us in this battle of attrition with the virus. What we need is an anti-viral cure, and we need it now! Without this, we lose the war!” Delos Reyes said in a facebook appeal to encourage the public to sign the online petition.

In the petition “Urgent Appeal to DOH for the Immediate Testing of Prodex-B Anti-Viral Against Covid-19”, Delos Reyes said the drug cocktail is a combination of procaine and dexmethasone with vitamin B.

He said the compounded medicine has been the subject of two research papers. The first was titled “A Novel Method for the Selective Elimination of HIV Infected Cells: Dexamethasone and Procaine as a Combination Therapy Prototype” and conducted by Drs. Elbourakadi, Najoua and Ethan W. Taylor of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2011.

The second study was “In Vitro Anti-dengue Virus Activity of a Customized Drug Cocktail” conducted by the Molecular Immunology Laboratory for Research Education and Training (MILRET) at St. Luke’s Medical Center led by Dr. Isaac David E. Ampil II and Dr. Maria Terrese Alonzo-Dimamay.

In both tests, Delos Reyes said, “conclusions showed inhibition in viral replication, significant reduction of virus quantity, and even the ability to selectively kill infected cells.” He said both drugs in the combo are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the Philippines and in the United States.

Quoting Dr. Ethan Taylor, Delos Reyes said the drugs “have different mechanisms of action, but when combined, produce a synergistic effect with a natural alcohol antagonistic to the virus.”

Delos Reyes also posted a March 20 letter from the St. Luke’s Medical Center’s Research and Biotechnology Group disclosing the results of their dengue research which showed “significant reduction in the virus quantity after treatment with the drug cocktail.”

“Our doctors are confident it can arrest the COVID-19 virus,” Delos Reyes said in his facebook post. “This is because Covid-19, which is caused by the virus named ‘severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2), shares similar symptoms with Influenza, and the drug cocktail Prodex-B is almost 100% successful against influenza and dengue which are viral diseases.”

As of March 28, the petition by Health for Life, Inc. has gained 6,529 signatories. Their goal was to collect 7,500 signatures.

TESTIMONIES

Meanwhile, residents of Olongapo City and Zambales who are familiar with the Fabunan drug regimen are gung-ho at having the anti-viral injection approved by the Department of Health, citing first-hand experiences of the drug’s efficacy.

In a social media post by Peter Tiu Lavina, the former Duterte campaign spokesman said: “A friend from Cavite is on his way to Zambales escorted by PNP to look for the Filipino scientist who made anti-viral meds used against dengue, malaria, Ebola. God bless their way!”

And quickly, Olongapo residents took it as referring to to Dr. Willie Fabunan. “Dr. Fabunan to the rescue,” Nalene delos Santos Paulo of the Social Action Center of Zambales immediately commented.

One Mark Fernandez said: “Gamitin n’yo na lahat ng resources na meron tayo. Kung makakatulong si Doc Fabunan para sa situation ng bansa natin, let’s try it… besides madami na s’ya napagaling.”

Replying to a netizen who claimed her nephews and nieces were cured by the Fabunan anti-dengue vaccine, Manila Times correspondent Patrick Roxas joined in: “Di lang kayo. Dito sa family ko, pati sa kapatid kong bunso, nakatulong yung gamot nila Dr. Fabunan. And the reading materials plus research na ginawa ko while collaborating with them for some time allowed me a first-hand experience with the drug and the people who invented it.”

Another netizen, Marnee Aguila, who said that she just had two shots of the Fabunan anti-viral injection two weeks ago said: “That’s Dr. Willie Fabunan…a respectable doctor with his anti-viral injection.”

For his part, Delos Reyes said they are ready and willing to share what they know and disclose what they have about Prodex-B, so that the government can begin the process of vetting this medical alternative that could very well prove to be the game-changer against this pandemic.

“Our team is also willing to be deployed to ‘ground zero’ to be frontliners. We offer that our doctors administer the anti-viral for free. Please consider it part of the (clinical) trials,” Delos Reyes added.

“No names here, no profits to be made, no politics, just turning over to government and health authorities what we have, for love of country and humanity,“ he concluded. ~

NOTE: Above photo by Kendal/Unsplash is used for illustration purpose only. It is not meant to represent any of the drug mentioned in this story.

85 thoughts on “A Covid-19 cure may just be right under our noses”

  3. Nothing to loose.. had been tried and tested with good result to your patient .procaine hydrochloride .dexamethasone and Vit B with minute amount is safe and non lethal.
    May have synergistic effect

    Like

  4. Sana nga po bigyang pansin ng gobyerno ang mga ganyang bagay na pwedeng makatulong at makabawas ng problema sa bansa natin. Nagririsk na rin lng tayo sa buhay ng tao mas mabuti ng magrisk tayo na may pag asa kaysa naghihintay lang tayo ng magiging kapalaran ng bawat pasyente. Pagpalain po kayo at ipagdadasal ko ang positibong mangyayari.

    Like

  5. As citizens, how can we help in order for our government to pursue this medicine? So many people are dying. What are they waiting for?

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  6. Wonderful news, I hope the government will give priority in your medicine that will cure the virus. Maybe this is the answer to our prayers! Congrats…..for your noble intention of helping our country in this time of need. Sana mabigyan pansin agad ito ng ating government.

    Like

  7. Praying that this vaccine is an answer to this virus called corona 19. Bless the heart and mind of those who formulated this vaccine that all intentions is for the good of all. God bless.

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  8. I-introduce na po sana agad yan sa DOH for betterment of all who are suffering now in the hospital beds plus all the Frontliners.
    Same objective of the UP Scientist re much faster test kits, lets all help our kabayan please; and hopefully any other country.
    GOD bless you po Doc & Co.

    Like

  9. If the combo medicine of Dr.Fabunan anti-bacterial was proven effective in some diseases similar to covid 19, why not the government try on this.
    Now we deal on different preventive measures but we need a cure. And this is it.
    I support the use of Fabunan Anti Bacterial combo medicine to fight the COVID 16 virus already inside human bodies.

    Like

  10. I want to be part of the needed signatories, to complete 7,500.. Count me in.. How? If that Prodex-B could remedy the existing dilemma so be it.. Glory to God Almighty! God bless the proponent of that drug.

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  11. Kung makakatulong po sa pag puksa ng coronavirus infected, why not to use. Sana po tumulong ang DOH para sa pag try ng gamot na ito.

    Like

  12. Sana po magamit n yn para matapos n po itong virus n to… Mr. President aksyunan nyo n po itong gamot n to! God bless you po s inyo Dr. Fuban and to your family…

    Like

  16. Hoping this Dr. Fabunan medicine will cure every person who got this disease COVID-19.Thank you Dr. Fabunan for being KIND.

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  18. ..DOH look into this…while the Covid patients are suffering and struggling to survive, this is the opportune time to pay attention perhaps can bring us knowledge on how to fight the deadly virus more so if it can bring the much awaited cure.

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  19. Yung apo ko pa nagka foot and mouth disease dahil po sa anti viral injection ni Dr Fabunan.3days lang po gumaling na.Sana po consider po ninyo.mga gamot niya.magaling po cia.Ung uncle din po mmin.may kapitbahay din po lme na snake bite.nkaligtas po dahil sa anti viral po no Dr.Fabunan.

    Like

  20. Yes why not try this, lets do it DOH and FDA please lets this drug tried to those Covid 19 positive to find out some result. Forget the money,politics on it lets do what is best to solve this pandemic.

    Like

  23. The government must not just focus on prevention but also on cure. What we are holding right now is faith and hope that everything will put into end soon. And Dr. Fabunan’s anti-viral remedy may be God’s answer to our problem. DOH must not rely on medications outside the country but rather focus on what we have right now. The tendency of relying on Japan’s anti-flu drug or any other medications outside the country may take too long to heal every person who’s suffering right now! This may take thousands of lives in danger before these medicines will be released!!! I am calling everyone to support the drug of Dr. Fabunan! This could be the answer to the problem we’re not just facing right now but to the whole world. I hope the government, DOH and the experts will take heed to this. It’s not time for business purposes becausebthe call for one’s consideration is highly needed for everybody’s welfare. God bless everyone!

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  24. The government should find time immediately on this probable cure for COVID 19. I hope DOH is open-minded on this and have no underlying selfish motive. Yes it is true the government will spend P200B only for prevention & amelioration investigating and validating these drugs will not be very expensive and there is a bountiful for the government if this is effective.

    Like

  27. LORD , ipinagpray ko pa lang last week na before end of April may matuklasan na vaccine here in Philippines para sa covid , meron na po pala LORD ikaw talaga,😇 nakaplan at inireready mo na po pala dito sa bansa namin. Praise God , amazing grace ! 😇😇🙏🙏

    Like

  28. ANY pharmaceutical intervention requires different phases such as drug design, drug discovery, animal testing and human testing and come up with sufficient number double blind and non bias study. OBVIOUSLY FUNDING IS AN ISSUE.

    Like

  30. May I have the link po where we can sign a petition for Prodex-B??

    So that we can share it thru social media and hopefully gather more signatures

    Like

  31. Where can I sign the petition please?

    A friend of mine can vouch for veracity of his treatment. Her husband a British inventor went there for treatment few years back. It’s how I heard in passing about it. That was 4 years ago.

    When she saw me posted this write up amidst Covid19, she right away reminded me of it, telling me her husband felt so frustrated then as to why DOH not even entertaining or giving it a chance? (And apparently she’s been telling her friends back in the Philippines if ever she contracts Covid19 she’ll run straight to Willie as she calls him.)

    I strongly feel: IT’S HIGH TIME!

    This could be the saviour of many lives as well as saviour for the Duterte government for economic recovery of entire Philippines 🇵🇭.

    Surely, funding can be sourced and I feel must equally be given priority.

    Let’s do our utmost to help make this a reality in whatever way possible. This could just be the if not one of the much waited CURE or antidote to Covid19.

    Stay and be safe all!

    Like

  32. yon nga sa china na gamot sabi ng WHO d kasali sa testing pero tri-ny nila? so bat itong sa atin na merong napagaling bat d pwedeng e try? whats the reason why the FDA and DOH have the hard on the green light on this?

    Like

  33. a-covid-19-cure-may-just-be-right-under-our-nose. (https://headlinezambales.wordpress.com/2020/03/27/a-covid-19-cure-may-just-be-right-under-our-noses/)

    A CALL TO ALL FILIPINO, the internet is always a great way to research and obtain all kinds of information. Just remember that the internet is packed with tons of data, both CORRECT and INCORRECT. And this is the main drawback of web-based resource databases, whether they be chat rooms, groups or e-mail forums. Simply do a little research for the personalities involved and the institutions that they are in?s examining the website and making decision to use the data / informations is the least we can do, what is important is you make a decision, whether CORRECT OR INCORRECT? what matters’ now is your ability to decide.

    Mr. President Duterte, Secretary Duque and all authorities involved in the decision making, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
    DECIDE NOW, ALTERNATIVE CURE

    “As Covid-19 claims more lives in the country, Dr. Fabunan is offering this same drug as a potent remedy against the dreaded disease.

    In a recent interview over a local radio station, Fabunan said that he has proven the efficacy of FAI for many years now since he started medical practice in 1981.

    The problem, he added, is having the FAI combination approved by the government. “They’re looking for (clinical) trials, but I don’t have any because this is a private venture and we are not being funded,” he said”.

    WHO KNOWS THIS MAY BE THE MOMENT, FILIPINO ARE WAITING FOR?

    GOOD BLESS.

    Like

  34. Bakit nga hindi bigyan nitong gamot iyong mga serious COVID 19 patients para may “chance” silang mabuhay kaysa maghihintay pa ng approved Vaccine na wala naman? AURAPHIL thanks to these Filipino Doctors who are trying their best to help. Kaawaawa iyong mga namatay na Filipino Frontliners . Sana wala nang magbuwis ng buhay habang tututulong lang sila, lalo na iyong mga Doctor na nasawi din. Marami pa sana silang matutulungan na mga Filipino .GOD bless us all!

    Like

  35. Congratulations to Fabunan doctors and family. God bless you.

    Thank for for inventing FAI medication.

    Btw, FABUNA(N) means “GIFT OF GOD”
    .
    More power to you.

    Like

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