SAHPRA approves ‘controlled’ use of Ivermectin for Covid-19
Clinical trials are set to start to determine whether Ivermectin is in fact the silver bullet against Covid-19 as claimed by some.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) gave an update on anti-parasitic drug Ivermectin in a meeting hosted by the National Press Club on Wednesday.
CEO Boitumelo Semete-Makoketla said the launch of the programme follows moves by many medical practitioners to prescribe the drug off-label.
She said the programme will ensure that the off-label use of the drug is stopped.
Semete-Makoketla emphasised that there is still insufficient evidence on the benefits and harms of the drug.
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The facilitated launch follows an outcry from the medical fraternity about the impact of the drug.
"For the treatment as a prophylaxis for Covid-19. They encourage that clinical trials be conducted.
"We have considered all of this and we the approach that we will be taking going forward is that we will facilitate a controlled, compassionate access programme for Ivermectin," she said.
Semete-Makoketla warned that the programme does not change SAHPRA's position around the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of the drug.
"But we had to as a regulator have a very in-depth discussion of the context we find ourselves, with the pandemic and limited options being available.
"This will enable us to monitor the use of this and will have health care professionals reporting to us.”
Guidelines on the roll-out of the clinical trials will be published soon.
