Sahpra red flags use of Ivermectin for Covid-19

THE SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has reiterated its call not to use Ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19.

This is aligned with the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) stance, Sahpra said.

“Sahpra echoes the USFDA’s stance that Ivermectin does not have proven antiviral properties against Sars-CoV-2, but it is currently used to treat parasitic conditions in animals.

“It is also used to treat certain conditions in humans such as very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea,” Sahpra said.

The USFDA was made aware of reports of individuals self-medicating with Ivermectin and some even using the animal formulation. Sahpra said in a detailed in statement on January 28 that taking such a drug without it undergoing the requisite testing and protocols could impact one’s health adversely and could also lead to death.

In South Africa, Sahpra registered Soolantra 10mg/g cream formulation, which contains ivermectin. Soolantra Cream is indicated for the topical treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory lesions of papulopustular rosacea in adult patients and is not suitable for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19.

Sahpra warned against misinformation and said medical treatment of any disease should be overseen by medical professionals.

“As Sahpra’s focus is on the health and well-being of the South African public, Sahpra continuously engages the scientific and medical community to explore the options for controlled, monitored access to reliable quality ivermectin-containing products for human use with simple but essential reporting requirements.

“Sahpra is also monitoring the illegal sale of so-called Ivermectin by unscrupulous individuals. The public should not buy any drug online or from unauthorised dealers,” Sahpra chief executive Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said.

The Ivermectin Controlled Compassionate Use Programme, implemented by Sahpra on January 28, makes approved ivermectin products accessible.

These are deemed suitable for human use. The list is available at: https://s21portal.sahpra.org.za/.