It is dangerous to market Ivermectin as a treatment against COVID-19 as the drug has not been properly tested for humans
Ivermectin in the treatment for COVID-19 is still to be verified by relevant authorities.
We call on the South Africans and medical professionals not to distribute or take the drug until its safety and efficacy is verified.
The unregulated distribution of the drug can lead to sub-standard and falsified products that are harmful to human health.
Ivermectin is registered in South Africa for the treatment of parasites in animals under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act.
There is currently no Ivermectin-containing medicines registered for human use in the country.
The efficacy, safety and the appropriate dosage for the use of Ivermectin remains uncertain.
The South African Health Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) noted that the overall quality of clinical trials of Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19 patients is poor.
Until evidence that is more robust is available, the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 cannot be justified.
All clinical trials on the drug are being closely monitored.
The Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator has commissioned a systematic review of available clinical trials evidence, but that process has yet to be concluded.
More data is required from well-designed randomised clinical trials to demonstrate the safety of Ivermectin.
There are some larger clinical trials taking place and it is hoped that the results will become available within the first quarter of 2021.
All current available data has been reviewed by the National Essential Medicines Committee COVID-19 Subcommittee and by SAHPRA.
