Why can’t we have Ivermectin, asks DA?

Government’s plans to roll out a vaccine to Covid-19 has sparked fierce debate in a number of quarters. At the centre of the argument lies its unwillingness to start clinical trials using Ivermectin.

According to the South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), although not banned, there are no applications for it to be used either for clinical trials or for the registration of Ivermectin for treatment or as a preventative measure against the coronavirus.

The DA has issued a statement calling for SAHPRA to revisit its stance on the drug.

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“We have raised the issue with the Department of Health and the portfolio committee for health, and made the argument that various clinical trials around the world warrant SAHPRA visiting its findings on this drug,” the statement read.

Phillip Minnaar, the DA councillor in Barberton, expanded on the party’s argument, being careful to advise that his opinions are not the DA’s.

“Interestingly enough, Ivermectin is not banned. The DA has conducted research that indicates that many countries around the world are using it.

“Ivermectin has been approved by international health organisations and there is medical research that shows that the product works,” he said.

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This is contrary to SAHPRA’s findings conducted in December last year. The regulatory body concluded that, while no applications had been received by it for Ivermectin to be used in clinical trials, “Ivermectin is not indicated nor approved by SAHPRA for use in humans.

“There is no confirmatory data on Ivermectin available as yet for its use in the management of Covid-19 infections.

“In terms of safety and efficacy, there is no evidence to support the use of Ivermectin and we do not have any clinical trial evidence to justify its use.”

While the regulatory body and political parties are embroiled in discussions over its proposed use, the average person may not know exactly what the drug is used for.

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According to SAHPRA, it is used for the treatment and control of parasites and animals, and sometimes in humans to treat tropical diseases not typical to South Africa, including scabies and head lice.

Though not registered for human use at present, SAHPRA occasionally grants Section 21 permits for it to be applied directly to the body as a topical cream for persons with scabies or lice.

A number of independent studies have indicated that it suppresses the duplication of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

This has brought about the calls for it to be used in clinical trials to determine its effectiveness in treating Covid-19.

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Minnaar in his advocacy of Ivermectin, used this as a basis for his argument.

“Our own medical research council needs to approve it based on research done here. It was approved, but now suddenly, they say it’s not a product we can trust.

“On what grounds do the decision-making authorities decide that we cannot use it while it has been proven scientifically and medically that the product works for Covid-19?” he asked.

He questioned why, when there is a product that works, government does not give the go-ahead for it to be used in order to save lives.

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“There are no plausible reasons given for us not to use it.

“On the contrary, recent research suggests that its benefits may be twofold; as a preventative measure as well as a treatment for those who have already contracted Covid-19.”

A report by SAHPRA released this year indicated that the use of Ivermectin to manage Covid-19 infections produces a faster time to viral clearance, a shorter duration of hospitalisation, higher rates of clinical recovery and some improvement in survival rates.

“However, the meta-analysis also concluded that additional randomised clinical trial data was needed to confirm clinical benefits in Covid-19 infections as well as to define an optimised dosing regimen,” the report continued.

Minnaar welcomed government’s plans to introduce a vaccine for frontline workers and demanded to know when it will be made available to ordinary South Africans who are losing loved ones to Covid-19 daily.

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The DA, meanwhile, plan to raise the issue before parliament based on “anecdotal accounts and various academic findings that are surfacing, advocating for the efficacy of the drug.”