Lyla Lindsey
Ivermectin is a prescription-only drug in Australia, and importing it without a valid prescription is illegal. The drug is typically used to treat lice and scabies in humans and kill worms and other parasites in horses. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some people began using it as a treatment for the disease, despite warnings from health experts about its harmful side effects and lack of effectiveness in fighting viruses. This led to a surge in illegal imports of the drug into Australia and concerns about the spread of phony treatments for COVID-19.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Legality in Australia | Prescription-only medicine |
| Counterfeit products | Illegal to import, supply, and/or give away |
| Use in COVID-19 treatment | Not recommended by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) |
| Side effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, problems with balance, seizures, coma, and even death |
| Importation | Illegal; fines have been issued for importing the drug without a valid prescription |
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What You'll Learn
- Ivermectin is a prescription-only drug in Australia
- It is illegal to import, supply or give away counterfeit Ivermectin
- Ivermectin is a drug used to kill worms and parasites in horses
- Australian medical clinics are prescribing Ivermectin as a Covid cure
- The TGA warns there is insufficient evidence to validate the use of Ivermectin for Covid-19
Ivermectin is a prescription-only drug in Australia
In Australia, ivermectin is a prescription-only medication. It is an anti-parasitic drug used to treat parasitic infections and scabies. While the drug has been approved for these purposes, it has not been approved for use in treating COVID-19.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has banned the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. This decision was made due to a sharp rise in prescriptions for the drug, which was believed to be driven by people seeking to use it for unapproved purposes. The TGA has stated that "ivermectin is not approved for use in COVID-19 in Australia or in other developed countries, and its use by the general public for COVID-19 is currently strongly discouraged".
Despite the lack of approval for treating COVID-19, there has been a growing demand for ivermectin in Australia as a result of its promotion in some anti-vaccination communities and right-wing media outlets. This has led to an increase in people importing the drug from overseas and seeking prescriptions from sympathetic doctors. In one instance, a person from New South Wales was fined almost $40,000 for illegally importing thousands of ivermectin tablets, far exceeding the allowed amount.
The TGA has warned against the use of ivermectin for COVID-19, citing concerns about potential side effects and the risk of people taking the drug instead of seeking proper treatment or vaccination. The regulator has also advised against self-medicating and self-dosing with ivermectin, as it can lead to unsafe doses and serious adverse effects, including severe nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and neurological issues.
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It is illegal to import, supply or give away counterfeit Ivermectin
Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine in Australia. It is a drug used to kill worms and other parasites in horses and, in smaller doses, to treat lice and scabies in humans.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned against the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, stating that there is “insufficient evidence" to validate its use in patients with COVID-19. The TGA has also warned about counterfeit ivermectin and strongly advised against self-medicating or self-dosing with it to treat COVID-19.
It is illegal to import, supply, or give away counterfeit ivermectin. The TGA reminds consumers that knowingly importing, supplying, and/or giving away counterfeit therapeutic goods is not only illegal but also poses a significant public health and safety risk. Consumers are advised to stop using these counterfeit ivermectin products and to take any remaining items to their local pharmacy for safe disposal. If consumers have any concerns arising from their use of ivermectin, they should consult their healthcare practitioner.
In Australia, a person from NSW was fined almost $40,000 for illegally importing thousands of prescription-only ivermectin tablets against clinical advice. The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued 15 infringement notices over the matter, stating that the individual did not have the authority or a valid prescription to import the medicine. This case highlights the seriousness of importing and supplying counterfeit or prescription-only medications, and consumers should be aware of the legal and health risks associated with such activities.
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Ivermectin is a drug used to kill worms and parasites in horses
In the United States, the recommended dose is 200 micrograms of ivermectin per kilogram of body weight. A 10 mL dose will treat a 500 kg horse. While it is rare for a horse to suffer harmful effects from being dewormed too frequently, the long-term health of all horses can be compromised by the development of parasite resistance to dewormers.
Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine in Australia, and importing, supplying, or giving away counterfeit therapeutic goods is illegal. Despite this, there have been instances of people in NSW being fined for illegally importing thousands of ivermectin tablets, driven by the belief that the drug can be used to treat COVID-19.
Health experts have warned against this, stating that ivermectin can cause harmful side effects in humans and that it is more akin to a poison for parasites. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in Australia has continued to see imports of counterfeit ivermectin, and both the TGA and the US Food and Drug Administration have strongly advised against self-medicating with ivermectin to treat COVID-19.
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Australian medical clinics are prescribing Ivermectin as a Covid cure
Australian medical authorities have expressed concern about the rise of fake treatments for Covid-19. Six clinics were caught advertising and prescribing the cattle and horse parasite drug Ivermectin as a cure for Covid-19. Ivermectin is a drug used to treat lice and scabies in humans and infections caused by parasites, such as mites and worms. Although it is safe for human use in small doses, it has never shown any ability to fight viruses.
Anti-vaxx groups and online conspiracy theorists have been promoting the drug intended for large animals as a "miracle cure" for Covid-19. This has led to a surge in imports of the drug and a subsequent shortage for farmers who need it for their animals. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of Ivermectin for treating Covid-19. They strongly advise against self-medication and self-dosing, especially with the version formulated for animals, as it can be fatal.
Clinical pharmacologist Professor Andrew MacLachlan stated that positive scientific studies on Ivermectin had been withdrawn due to questionable findings. Dr Gunja, a toxicologist at Westmead Hospital, warned people not to search for unproven cures online and to follow the guidance of doctors and Australia's drug safety watchdog, the TGA. High doses of Ivermectin can cause serious side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, balance issues, seizures, coma, and even death.
In Australia, Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine, and it is illegal to import, supply, or distribute counterfeit Ivermectin products. The TGA continues to intercept imports of counterfeit Ivermectin, and individuals importing these products without a valid prescription may face fines and legal consequences.
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The TGA warns there is insufficient evidence to validate the use of Ivermectin for Covid-19
Ivermectin is a prescription-only medicine in Australia. It is typically used to treat lice and scabies in humans and is also used to kill worms and other parasites in horses.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has warned against the use of Ivermectin to treat Covid-19, stating that there is "insufficient evidence" to validate its use for this purpose. This warning comes as Australian medical authorities have noticed an alarming rise in phony treatments for Covid-19, with six clinics caught advertising the drug as a treatment for the virus. The TGA has also warned about the importation of counterfeit Ivermectin and advised against self-medicating with it.
Dr Gunja, an expert, has echoed the TGA's sentiments, stating that there is "no evidence" to support the use of Ivermectin for Covid-19. He urged people to be guided by doctors and Australia's medication safety watchdog, the TGA, instead of seeking unproven cures online. Dr Timothy Geary, another expert on Ivermectin, has also stated that the drug is ineffective against viruses.
Despite these warnings, there has been a surge in illegal importations of Ivermectin into Australia, with people attempting to use it as a treatment for Covid-19. This has resulted in at least one hospitalisation in the country and a ten-fold increase in the importation of the substance. The TGA continues to see imports of counterfeit Ivermectin, and individuals have been fined for illegally importing the drug.
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Frequently asked questions
Ivermectin is not illegal in Australia, but it is a prescription-only medicine. It is typically used to treat lice and scabies in humans and kill worms and other parasites in horses.
During a House hearing, Australian Member of Parliament Craig Kelly was criticised for mentioning ivermectin, which was considered a prohibited word. Kelly defended himself, explaining that the amendment on the table was directly related to ivermectin and other prohibited remedies for Covid-19.
High doses of ivermectin can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, problems with balance, seizures, coma, and can even be fatal.
Ivermectin can be imported into Australia, but only with a valid prescription. Counterfeit products cannot be imported under the Personal Importation Scheme.
