False: Ivermectin drug can prevent COVID-19.

By: Ishita Goel
November 11 2021

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Ivermectin is being researched for use against COVID-19. Authorities have warned against its usage on humans for COVID-19, except in clinical trials.Ivermectin is a drug licensed for use in people and animals. It is listed on WHO's essential drugs list for many parasitic illnesses. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration(FDA), in humans, "ivermectin topical formulations" are approved for the treatment of "external parasites." So, based on prescription, "ivermectin tablets" are approved to treat some "parasitic worms." Since the COVID-19 outbreak began, several individuals and groups have suggested COVID-19 therapies, medications, and other remedies, claiming to be solutions. One such drug, ivermectin, was also in suggestion, which is not approved for usage under COVID-19. The FDA has not authorized ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19. Soumya Swaminathan, the Chief Scientist at WHO, in May 2021, warned against using ivermectin for COVID-19. Further, WHO has advised the usage of ivermectin on humans under COVID-19 for only "clinical trials." Merck, one of the pharmaceutical companies that manufacture ivermectin, clarified in February 2021 that the available data by the company scientists do not suggest the usage of the drug for COVID-19. All the reputed health authorities and organizations, including WHO and FDA, note that the drug's clinical trials are in progress, so usage of it for prevention or treatment in COVID-19 is not advisable. FDA warns that the wrong use of the drug could cause "serious harm." Ivermectin for animals is different from that approved for people since its safety and effectiveness are only tested in the specific species for which it is labeled. BBC reported an article in October 2021 on how ivermectin was deemed to be named as a "miracle" drug for COVID-19. It revealed that "more than a third of 26 major trials of the drug for use on Covid have serious errors or signs of potential fraud. None of the rest show convincing evidence of ivermectin's effectiveness." These papers included fake and duplicated data, red-flagged information, or data with faulty trails. It added that few scientists even failed to submit their data back. Indeed few trials have shown positive results of the drug against COVID-19, but there is no conclusive evidence. The authorized organizations have informed that the trials are in process, and until then, the usage is not authorized. There is a lot of misconception about COVID-19 therapy and prevention, and only COVID-19 vaccines that have been licensed for use should be taken. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.