Bath scientist backs use of malaria drug

A scientist from Bath has backed the use of a malaria drug to treat coronavirus.

Dr Tess Lawrie, 53, has sent evidence from experts across the globe to the World Health Organisation, showing how the medicine could help fight the disease.

Ivermectin is a Nobel Prize-winning drug that has been used as a treatment for diseases caused by parasites, such as malaria. It is widely available across the world, very safe and cheap to produce.

Dr Lawrie and the panel of scientists have discovered how it can “substantially” reduce deaths from Covid and “significantly” reduce the risk of infection.

The Bath scientist said: “My role has just been to put together the data from trials conducted by dedicated clinicians working mainly in low-resource settings.

“I take my hat off to them for being able to do such valuable research in extremely difficult circumstances.

“When you look at the big picture, which includes evidence from 21 randomised control trials and countless observational and country case-studies, it’s clear that ivermectin could significantly reduce the impact of Covid-19 in the UK.

“Other countries are already benefitting from its use. Let’s hope our government will give this safe and cheap drug a go too.”

Last month, a group of 65 doctors and scientists from 16 countries met over Zoom to discuss how the drug could be used to fight the virus. They called themselves the BIRD (British Ivermectin Recommendation Development) panel.

The experts said it could be used “to reduce morbidity” associated with Covid and “to prevent... infection among those at higher risk”.

The panel put together a document of evidence and Dr Lawrie sent the file to bosses at the WHOAS well as MPS and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).