South Africans warned that ivermectin not tested for use on humans
- Ivermectin is a drug used to kill parasites in animals but some people are using it to treat Covid-19 in humans
- The drug has not been tested for treating Covid-19, it may not be safe and could have long term side effects
- The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has not cleared the drug and it is a violation of Medicines and Related Substances Act to prescribe it
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Ivermectin is a drug used to kill parasites in animals and is not used on humans, despite this doctors are prescribing the drug for people to treat Covid-19.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has not cleared the drug for use on humans and has prohibited its use according to ENCA.
“It hasn’t been tested, there are no clinical trials available and it is considered to be unsafe at this stage," said SAHPRA's Yuven Gounden.
Source: Getty Images
Earlier this week the Ahmed Al-Kadi (AAK) Hospital was criminally charged for violating the Medicines and Related Substances Act by illegally dispensing ivermectin to patients. The police raided the hospital and confiscated the medication.
According to IOL a Pakistani national was arrested with over 2 000 ivermectin tablets at King Shaka International airport.
SAHPRA issued a statement saying that the drug has not been tested.
“In terms of safety and efficacy, there is no evidence to support the use of ivermectin and we do not have any clinical trial evidence to justify its use.”
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that the liquor industry is feeling the strain of a reimplemented alcohol ban in South Africa and are pleading with the government to lift it.
Numerous traders say that should relief not be granted soon, the 'unconstitutional' regulation will cost the nation countless jobs.
Many warn that the industry will not be able to survive another lengthy ban on sales with this the third round of restrictions.
This comes as SA Breweries launches a legal bid in an attempt to have the ban overturned, claiming that all attempts to find an alternative during consultations with the state have failed.
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that the South African National Defence Force has arrived in the Western Cape with the deployment of around 170 soldiers.
The SANDF is tasked with helping the provincial administration ensure citizens adhere to lockdown regulations.
In addition to the troops, medics are set to help in rural hospitals based in Paarl and Worcester during the next few days.
The first operation, in collaboration with local law enforcers and the police, the army patrolled Kraaifontein, Samora Machel and Mitchells Plain.
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Source: Briefly News
