Ivermectin: ‘Not enough scientific evidence yet,’ cautions vet
A local veterinary practice has also received more than the usual requests for ivermectin from the public.
Ivermectin, a veterinary drug, has gained sudden notoriety for being a ‘miracle cure’ in the treatment of Covid-19.
A local veterinary practice has also, in recent weeks, received more than the usual requests for ivermectin from the public.
“Those purchasing it are asked to sign an indemnity that it is for veterinary purposes only,” said veterinarian, Dr Claire Norton of the Bulwer Street Veterinary Hospital in Port Shepstone.
Dr Norton stressed that there is no scientific evidence that ivermectin can be used for the treatment of Covid-19.
“The government and the health department are against its use. People could be poisoning themselves.”
However, she said it is also indicative of the current situation we are living in and that people are clinging to hope.
According to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), ivermectin is not indicated nor approved for use in humans and that there is no confirmatory data available as yet, for its use in the management of Covid-19 infections.
“Ivermectin is a widely used drug for the treatment and control of parasites in animals and is used to treat several tropical diseases in humans not commonly seen in South Africa, as well as scabies and head lice.
Ivermectin is a synthetic derivative of the antiparasitic class of compounds known as avermectins,” said SAHPRA in a recent statement.
According to a memo sent to Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize by the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) on Covid-19, there is insufficient evidence at this stage to support the routine use of ivermectin for either the prevention or treatment of Covid-19.
It is signed by the co-chairpersons of the MAC, Professors Salim S. Abdool Karim and Marian Jacobs.
The memo stated: “’Clinicians, Covid-19 patients and the general public perceive an urgent need for effective means to both prevent and treat the condition. This need is amplified by the perceived delay in access to vaccines which are only likely to become available in the second quarter of 2021.”
“As a result, motivated by concern for their patients, clinicians are grasping at any option which promises positive results. Ivermectin is being portrayed, despite the lack of high quality evidence, as one such option. It is therefore been observed that unregulated use of ivermectin is evident in South Africa and increasing.”
In its evidence review, the memo also noted that according to SAPHRA, the overall quality of randomised controlled clinical trials of ivermectin in the treatment of Covid-19 patient is poor and the existing trials are underpowered and poorly designed.
In its recommendations, MAC advised that until more robust evidence is available, the routine use of ivermectin for either the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 is not justified.
“Reports of clinical trials of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 must be closely watched, as they become available.”
The use of the drug has generated significant global interest and has also been promoted on social media.
“Effective messaging needs to be developed to communicate both to the general public and to health professionals that the use of unregulated products purporting to contain ivermectin is risky and unethical at this stage.”
Earlier this month, a 43-year-old man was arrested at King Shaka International Airport after he was found with 2 464 ivermectin tablets in his hand luggage when he arrived at the airport valued at R100 000.
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