Kiwis try to import unproven vet medicine ivermectin for Covid

Attempted imports of a drug typically used to de-worm livestock but latched on to by people opposed to Covid-19 vaccines globally have spiked here, sparking warnings from experts and health authorities.

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that has been around since the 1970s, is produced by major international pharmaceutical company Merck largely to prevent and treat heartworm in livestock and pets, and in other forms certain tropical diseases in humans.

It was briefly trialled in the early, desperate stages of the pandemic before any other options were available, but was quickly found to have no scientific evidence and be potentially very dangerous if selfprescribed. Merck itself also strongly advises against anybody using the drug to treat Covid-19.

Despite this, the drug has been promoted by people largely through social media, and largely by conspiracy theory and far right groups, as an alternative Covid-19 treatment.

Medsafe, which approves imports at Customs for authorised prescribers (usually medical practitioners but also to MPI for animal treatment), confirmed to the Herald attempted imports were increasing. In a normal month Medsafe would record one or two attempted imports and approve one.

In 2020 alone there were 18 consignments attempted and referred to Medsafe, containing ivermectin. In the first four months of this year there were eight attempted imports, with one approved. Then in May there were 10 attempts, 26 in June, 31 in July, and 38 in August up to the 24th. Out of the 114 attempts this year 12 were approved, and another two referred to MPI.

Given the timing and trends overseas, vaccinologist and University of Auckland associate professor Helen Petousis-Harris said it was likely people were attempting to use it as a treatment here. “It is a horrible thought that people are importing dewormer as an unproven treatment for Covid-19,” she said.

“Well-controlled studies have assessed the utility of this vet medicine in Covid-19 patients and found no effect and potential harm.”

A Ministry of Health spokeswoman confirmed they had been seeing an increase in “attempted importations of ivermectin by individuals” and said the ministry “strongly recommends the public do not buy and treat themselves with ivermectin for Covid-19”.

“When ingested in high doses, ivermectin can have a serious effect on humans, with symptoms including low blood pressure, worsening asthma, severe autoimmune disorders, seizures and liver damage,” she said.

The spike in demand here mirrors trends around the world including in Australia where there has been a tenfold increase in imports, sparking a warning from the Department of Health calling it “dangerous”.

The US Food and Drug Administration had to tell the public not to take the drug, with increased calls to poison hotlines from people who had taken ivermectin and at least one hospitalisation. “You are not a horse,” the FDA said in a tweet. “You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”

In a statement, producer Merck said its company scientists had found there was “no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against Covid-19 from pre-clinical studies”.

In Aotearoa posts can be seen across social media discussing and promoting ivermectin as a Covid-19 treatment, generally alongside antilockdown and anti-vaccine messages.

The Herald has seen such messages associated with some antilockdown protest groups and some of their leaders, some with medical credentials and the ability to import the drug. “There is a lot of misinformation going around on the internet about various unproven treatments for Covid-19,” Petousis-Harris said.