George Steuart to import Ivermectin to fight COVID-19
US FDA warns against its use saying ‘You are not a horse, you are not a cow’
COLOMBO – The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has given the green light for George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd to import and clear Ivermectin Tablets USP 12 mg, an anti-parasitic drug commonly used for livestock, for use in COVID-19 treatment. The clearance has been given to a request made by Manager-Regulatory Affairs, George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said current evidence on the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is inconclusive and has recommended the drug only be used within clinical trials until more data is available.
However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on August 21 warned against the use of Ivermectin, saying it should not be taken to treat or prevent COVID-19. The FDA also tweeted its warning, saying, “You are not a horse. You are not a cow. Seriously, y’all. Stop it.”
Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent, included in the WHO essential medicines list for several parasitic diseases. It is used in the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness), strongyloidiasis (a disease caused by a roundworm), and other diseases caused by soil-transmitted helminthiasis (infestation with parasitic worms). It is also used to treat scabies.
In Sri Lanka, a panel of medical specialists also advised against the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients, saying there was insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of Ivermectin.
If any clinician is using Ivermectin they strongly suggested documenting indication disease status etc.
US health officials have said “animal drugs are highly concentrated for large animals and can be highly toxic in humans,” detailing some of the symptoms associated with Ivermectin toxicity as rash, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, neurological disorders and potentially severe hepatitis that could require hospitalization.
The manufacturer of the particular pharmaceutical is M/S TAJ Pharmaceuticals of Bake House Lane Fort, Mumbai, India.
The NMRA states they approved the import under the powers vested on NMRA in section 109 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No 5 of 2015.
However, according to other reports, there is a surge in using Ivermectin against moderate and severe COVID-19 infections.
– counterpoint.lk/ENCL