The importation and use of the anti-parasite drug was
recently banned after the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ) said
its use could endanger the lives of members of the public.
The authority was also concerned that members of the public
were going to self-medicate by taking Ivermectin products thinking they can be
a substitute for Ivermectin intended for humans.
Zimbabwe like other countries has since said the drug can
be used on Covid-19 patients. This week, the South African Health Products
Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) announced it will allow a “controlled
compassionate” use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the drug has
encouraging effects on coronavirus, though like other regulators it’s also said
the medication hasn’t been properly evaluated. Ivermectin has been used for
decades to treat livestock infested with parasitic worms, while in humans it’s
used as a topical ointment for diseases including skin infections and
inflammation.
The drug is also approved in other countries for use in
animals for prevention of heartworm disease in some small animal species, and
for treatment of certain internal and external parasites in various animal
species. WHO has suggested the drug has encouraging effects on Covid-19 in the
body and called for continued studies on the drug to determine its exact
efficacy.
Physicians in the country had been using Ivermectin in a
solution with Nanosilver and found the combination to be effective in reducing
mortality rates. They also wrote to the Ministry of Health and Child Care
saying they feel comfortable using Ivermectin for Covid-19 patients. “We feel
comfortable using this drug, which has been around for 40 years. It is on the
WHO essential drugs list and has an excellent safety profile. Since August 2020
we have adopted the use of both Ivermectin and Nanosilver solution and have
found this combination to be a game-changer in terms of management of our
patients,” the doctors said.
Zimbabwe has to date recorded over 32 000 Covid-19 cases
and over 1 100 deaths since the outbreak of the global disease in March last
year.
In a notice to MCAZ, the acting permanent secretary in the
Health Ministry Dr Robert Mudyirandima said Government has authorised the
strategic stocking of Ivermectin for the investigation of Covid-19 treatment
alternatives.
“In these difficult times of Covid-19 treatment, we have to
be careful to protect the patients as well as not to deny them effective
treatment regimes. It is in this regard that authority is hereby granted for
you to proceed under Section 75 of the Medicines and Allied Substances Control
Act to allow importation and use of these medicines under the supervision and
guidance you outlined,” said Dr Mudyirandima.
“Ivemectin can be evaluated for both treatment and
prophylaxis.” Chronicle
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