Ivermectin: Court Order Allows for Medicine to Be Used to Treat Covid-19

Ivermectin: Court Order Allows for Medicine to Be Used to Treat Covid-19

- A recent court order in Gauteng has now allowed for the use of the drug Ivermectin to treat Covid-19

- The order determined that medicine that contains Ivermectin as an active ingredient may be used for 'off-label' purposes (for treatment other than it's original registered use)

- The court order was made by Judge Cassim Sardiwalla under Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act

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An order was issued by the Gauteng High Court on Tuesday allowing for medicine that has Ivermectin as an active ingredient to be used to treat Covid-19 if prescribed by a doctor. The news follows a settlement that was reached between Afriforum and Dr George Coetzee.

The order of court was made by Judge Cassim Sardiwalla. Previously, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) and the aforementioned applicants made an agreement for the access to and compounding of Ivermectin.

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Sahpra's registration of the medicine allows for it to be compounded and made accessible under Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Act.

Ivermectin: Court order allows for drug to be used to treat Covid-19
A court order has now allowed for Ivermectin to be used in the treatment of Covid-19. Image: LUIS ROBAYO/AFP
Source: Getty Images

According to IOL, the order also allows for access to imported Ivermectin which may be provided under the provisions of the Medicines Act. The drug has now been listed as Schedule 3 and can be used for 'off-label' use; meaning it can be used in the treatment of Covid-19.

News24 revealed that the court order stated that licensed practitioners will be allowed to prescribe the medicine at their professional discretion. The publication also revealed that a number of medical practitioners stated that no applications for the use of the drug had been approved following the court order.

Join the conversation with Briefly News: Tell us if you would take Ivermectin to treat Covid-19 if you contracted the virus:

Briefly News also set a Twitter poll up for our readers who don't have Facebook. Give us your feedback on the use of Ivermectin:

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Previously, Briefly.co.za there was a lot of concerns raised about the drug Ivermectin. 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.

“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.”

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Reeshni Chetty avatar

Reeshni Chetty Reeshni Chetty is a senior current affairs reporter. The Damelin journalism and media studies graduate was top of her class with 16 distinctions and she boasts experience in radio, print and digital media. When Reeshni is not rushing to bring you the most important and breaking news in current affairs, she's raising awareness around mental health. Reeshni has a passion for breaking the stigma surrounding mental health issues.