Zimbabwe says it has not issued a blanket approval for use of ivermectin to treat covid-19

Zimbabwe’s latest position on ivermectin

The MCAZ says it has not allowed wide-spread use of ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment. Rather, the regulator is giving a qualified nod to health professionals, within a strict framework, to prescribe, procure and dispense the drug.

“The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe is aware of media reports suggesting that the Authority had issued a blanket approval for the widespread use of ivermectin human formulations for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Several critical studies are still being undertaken to evaluate ivermectin’s safety and efficacy in treating the COVID-19 infection in vivo (in human bodies, as opposed to in vitro, in labs), but there has been no conclusive evidence yet to support its use,” MCAZ said in its 28 June, 2021 statement.

“In an effort to add more options to the list of medicines with potential evidence-based therapeutic value in the prevention and or treatment of COVID-19, the Authority sought approval from the Secretary for Health and Child Care to establish a framework that would provide guidance on the use of ivermectin in COVID-19, in the form of operational research.”

Under the framework, only authorised pharmaceutical wholesalers will be allowed to import and supply ivermectin to authorised health facilities, medical practitioners and pharmacies.

“Members of the public are strongly urged to desist from self-prescribing and sourcing unapproved medication from unapproved sources,” the MCAZ added.

The authority will also gather information on whether patients are realising clinical benefits from the use of ivermectin, while also monitoring for any side effects.

https://zimfact.org/factsheet-zimbabwe-and-ivermectin-use-for-covid-19/

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