Ivermectin For Covid-19 Approved By South Africa And Zimbabwe
The South African authorities have approved the use of a drug called Ivermectin, for the treatment of Covid-19.
Ivermectin is a drug used to treat livestock infected by parasitic worms and has been around for a long time.
It has also been used by humans as a topical ointment for skin infections and inflammation.
Ivermectin will be used under ‘compassionate grounds in a controlled-access program.’
According to the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, medical practitioners who apply to use the drug, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
This follows after a group of South African practitioners petitioned the government to allow them the use of Ivermectin, for the treatment of Covid-19.
The World Health Organization has suggested that Ivermectin has encouraging effects on Coronavirus, although they also said the medication hasn’t been properly evaluated.
The drug won’t be limited to patients with known Covid-19 co-morbidities.
Ivermectin had already hit the black market in South Africa and there has been widespread use of the drug, as South Africa goes through a second wave of Covid-19.
It is believed that allowing the controlled use of the drug will help the regulator monitor its use and enable the body to collect much needed safety data.
South African Health Products Regulatory Authority chairwoman, Helen Rees,spoke about the latest developments.
“We absolutely share everyone’s desperation at this point.So the question about ivermectin and self-medication goes back to what everyone in the scientific community is saying. And that is, we don’t know if it works and we don’t know if it doesn’t work. That’s why we need to get data.”
She also warned people against self medicating with Ivermectin.
Neighboring country Zimbabwe has also green lighted the use of Ivermectin for Covid-19 treatment and prophylaxis, following the death of high ranking government officials from the virus last week.
This follows after the Zimbabwean government had threatened to arrest anyone caught using or prescribing the drug.
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