200 000 Ivermectin tablets confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport.
OR Tambo: Suspects arrested for allegedly ‘bringing in R5m worth of Ivermectin’
Police confirmation on the alleged Ivermectin bust is still pending. Reports indicate three people have been arrested for the bust.
200 000 Ivermectin tablets confiscated at OR Tambo International Airport.
The alleged arrest of three people over a R5 million Ivermectin bust at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg has intensified calls for the government to take a closer look at the banned drug’s viability as a COVID-19 healer.
POLICE YET TO CONFIRM LATEST IVERMECTIN BUST
Anti-crime activist and ENCA‘s Crime Watch host Yusuf Abramjee alleges three individuals who were travelling into the country from India have been arrested on Saturday, 30 January, after almost 200 000 Ivermectin tablets were found in their possession. The estimated value of the confiscated tablets are said to amount to R5 million.
Police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe is yet to confirm the Ivermectin bust or any of the aforementioned details. Word of the arrest has however prompted calls for government to give the drug a shot.
TO IVERMECTIN OR NOT TO IVERMECTIN
Preliminary studies have showed that Ivermectin has the potential to reduce mortality by over 80%. However, the research has been deemed to be flawed because of the small sample size involved in it and the lack of a clear recommended dosage. Epidemiologist and Professor Salim Abdool Karim, has been vocal on the issue, telling media there is no compelling case for Ivermectin to be used as a COVID-19 treatment.
The professor has informed media that the required dosage to prevent the virus would be so vast, it’d likely kill anyone who ingests it. Karim made it very clear that telling people to take Ivermectin – like AfriForum is doing – is ‘highly irresponsible’.
UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE GETS BALL ROLLING ON IVERMECTIN STUDY
Despite the criticisms there are a number of clinical trials underway worldwide with the University of the Free State (UFS) attempting to be the first institution in South Africa to look into the drug’s healing properties against the deadly coronavirus.
UFS’ FARMOVS, a wholly owned clinical research company together with several medical and scientific experts at the university, are currently in the process of preparing clinical trial protocol to determine the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19. This will be done in a randomised, controlled study.
“FARMOVS and the UFS remain supportive of and committed to contributing to the development of treatments and treatment strategies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Should the clinical trial protocol be approved by the relevant national regulatory authority, the UFS will be the first university in South Africa to attempt such a study”.
the University of the Free State (UFS)
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REMAINS OPPOSED TO USAGE OF THE DRUG
The Department of Health has advised against the use of Ivermectin for the management of COVID-19, until the study on its efficacy and safety is concluded.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Health Department spokesperson Popo Maja said that the National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) COVID-19 Sub-Committee has carefully considered all available evidence on the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 with Ivermectin, and he ‘discourages’ the use of Ivermectin outside of clinical trials.
