Tread carefully with Ivermectin, medical council warns

JEMIMA BEUKES WINDHOEKThe Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) has cautioned doctors prescribing Ivermectin to Covid-19 patients to remain within the safety limits of the substance, adding that they should take personal responsibility for adverse consequences for the use of this medicine.Earlier this month, a group of doctors petitioned the health ministry to review the decision by the NMRC not to approve Ivermectin, claiming it has shown remarkable results and can drastically reduce the fatality rate of those infected with Covid-19.These doctors also claimed that the drug was behind the significant reduction in Covd-19 cases and deaths in India, which saw an unprecedented spike of the virus.Ivermectin, an animal medicine used for parasites in livestock, has been touted as a ‘wonder cure’ for Covid-19 - despite numerous warnings from health bodies such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) that there is no scientific evidence to back these claims. Not liableNamibians and South Africans have run wild in the last few months to get their hands on the animal syrup or tonic, which is now also available in tablets, leading to pharmacies and local agricultural shops running out of stock.In a statement yesterday, Johannes #Gaeseb, the Registrar of Medicines, said the unlicenced import, compounding and manufacturing of medicines remains illegal and the NMRC stands by its position that there is not enough evidence to approve the use of the drug in Covid-19 patients.“The public must be aware that NMRC has no means to monitor the safety, efficacy and quality of any compounded medicine. Therefore, it cannot be liable for the use of any compounded medicine,” he said.#Gaeseb added that they will continue to monitor emerging data on the use of Ivermectin as a treatment for Covid-19 and review their position accordingly. jemima@namibiansun.com

Tread carefully with Ivermectin, medical council warns

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Tread carefully with Ivermectin, medical council warns

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

Please login to leave a comment

Login