The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) says it is awaiting data that may prompt them to review its stance on Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19.
In South Africa, the drug is not currently registered for human use, but SAHPRA occasionally grants Section 21 permits for the use of topical Ivermectin for the treatment of individual patients with conditions such as scabies or head lice.
This comes as pressure mounts on government and SAHPRA to allow for the legal use of the human formulation of Ivermectin.
SAHPRA’s Dr Shyamli Munbodh, says, “SAHPRA is quite firm that when it comes to the use of Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19, that a clinical trial must be conducted. It wasn’t actually a ban. It was a cautionary note that there has been reports of widespread use of the veterinary formulation. These are seen as illicit formulations. This maybe listed by the WHO as as essential medicine but it is for other indications and prophylaxis of COVID-19 which haven’t been evaluated by the WHO as yet.”
“We are awaiting emerging, clinical data from studies that have been ongoing using Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19. SAHPRA will review that and then also review its stance on this.”
INFOGRAPHIC: Facts on Ivermectin
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