Lyla Lindsey
In September 2021, the Australian government banned the use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. The decision was made by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and led by its head, Professor John Skerritt. The TGA restricted the prescription of ivermectin to TGA-approved conditions, such as scabies and certain parasitic infections, due to concerns about its unapproved use for COVID-19. The ban was lifted in May 2023, allowing general practitioners to prescribe ivermectin for off-label uses. The drug has gained popularity among anti-vaccination communities and right-wing media, despite a lack of approval for COVID-19 treatment in Australia and other developed countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ban | September 10, 2021 |
| Body that imposed the ban | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) |
| Head of the TGA | Professor John Skerritt |
| Reason for ban | Concerns about the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 |
| TGA-approved conditions for ivermectin prescription | Scabies and certain parasitic infections |
| Date ban was lifted | June 1, 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
- Ivermectin was banned for COVID-19 treatment in Australia
- The drug has been used successfully to treat COVID-19 in other countries
- The ban was enforced by the TGA by Professor John Skerritt
- Ivermectin is only approved in Australia for treating river blindness, intestinal worms, and scabies
- Ivermectin is off-patent, affordable, and has been safely administered 3.7 billion times
Ivermectin was banned for COVID-19 treatment in Australia
Ivermectin, a drug with anti-parasitic properties, was banned for COVID-19 treatment in Australia in September 2021. The ban was enforced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and led by Professor John Skerritt, the National Manager of the TGA.
The TGA's decision was influenced by concerns that people with COVID-19 would opt for ivermectin instead of seeking proper medical treatment or getting vaccinated. There were also worries about individuals taking unsafe doses of the drug based on advice from non-medical sources. The TGA stated that the ban was implemented due to "concerns with the prescribing of oral ivermectin for the claimed prevention or treatment of Covid-19."
Prior to the ban, Australian doctors had been prescribing ivermectin off-label for COVID-19 patients. The drug gained popularity, especially in anti-vaccination communities and right-wing media, leading to a rise in prescriptions. However, ivermectin is not approved for COVID-19 treatment in Australia or other developed countries, and its use is discouraged by several health organizations.
Despite the ban, some Australian doctors in Sydney and Melbourne reported success in treating COVID-19 patients with a combination of ivermectin, doxycycline, and zinc, known as the Ivermectin Triple Therapy (ITT). Out of 600 patients treated with ITT, only five required hospitalization, and there were no deaths.
In May 2023, the TGA ended the restriction on off-label use of ivermectin, allowing general practitioners to prescribe it for off-label purposes starting June 1, 2023. This decision was made based on evidence of low safety risks when prescribed by qualified medical practitioners and the low potential for shortages of ivermectin for its approved uses.
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The drug has been used successfully to treat COVID-19 in other countries
Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug that is well established for use in animals and humans. While the drug is not approved for use in treating COVID-19 in Australia, the United States, or other developed countries, it has been used as part of pandemic control efforts in several nations.
In Mexico City, the government distributed ivermectin widely as a COVID-19 treatment. The government published the results of this initiative on the SocArXiv archive as a research paper. However, the paper was later withdrawn by the archive, citing concerns that it was unethical and that the article was of "very poor quality or deliberately false and misleading."
In July 2021, Andrew Hill, a senior research fellow at Liverpool University, published a meta-analysis of ivermectin use for COVID-19, suggesting beneficial outcomes. However, subsequent research revealed that many of the studies included in the meta-analysis were faulty, misleading, or fraudulent. As a result, Hill revised his analysis and found that the apparent success of ivermectin diminished.
In Australia, a group of doctors in Sydney and Melbourne treated patients with a protocol called the Ivermectin Triple Therapy (ITT), which combined ivermectin, doxycycline, and zinc. Out of 600 patients treated with ITT, only five were admitted to the hospital, and there were no deaths. In comparison, a control group of 600 patients who did not receive this treatment resulted in 70 hospital admissions and six deaths.
While ivermectin has been found to have antiviral properties that can help prevent COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) advise against using ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. The FDA has determined that current clinical trial data does not demonstrate ivermectin's effectiveness against COVID-19 in humans, and taking large doses of ivermectin can be dangerous.
Despite the lack of approval and concerns about safety, some countries have adopted ivermectin as part of their pandemic response, and studies continue to explore its potential benefits in treating COVID-19.
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The ban was enforced by the TGA by Professor John Skerritt
The ban on the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 in Australia was enforced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and enacted by Professor John Skerritt, the National Manager of the TGA and its head since 2012. Professor Skerritt has a bachelor's degree in science, majoring in agriculture, and a PhD in pharmacology. Notably, he is not a medical doctor and has no clinical experience with COVID-19.
The decision to ban the use of Ivermectin for COVID-19 was made on September 10, 2021, and prevented Australian GPs from prescribing the drug for the disease. Previously, doctors could prescribe Ivermectin off-label for COVID-19, despite it only being approved by the TGA for the treatment of river blindness, threadworms of the intestines, and scabies.
The TGA's decision was influenced by concerns that people with COVID-19 would take Ivermectin instead of seeking proper treatment or getting vaccinated. There were also worries about the unsafe use of Ivermectin, as people may have taken incorrect doses based on advice from non-medical sources.
The ban was met with criticism, with some questioning Professor Skerritt's qualifications and decision-making process. There were also allegations of media smear campaigns and conflicts of interest involving pharmaceutical companies and government officials.
It is worth noting that as of May 3, 2023, the TGA has lifted the ban on the off-label use of Ivermectin, citing sufficient evidence of low safety risks when prescribed by a general practitioner. This decision was made following public consultations and advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling.
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Ivermectin is only approved in Australia for treating river blindness, intestinal worms, and scabies
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug that has been used to treat various illnesses for over 60 years. In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is responsible for approving the use of drugs, and it has only approved ivermectin for the treatment of river blindness, intestinal worms, and scabies.
The TGA's role is to ensure that drugs available to the public are safe and effective. While ivermectin has been approved for the above-mentioned uses, it has not been approved for the treatment of COVID-19. In September 2021, the TGA restricted the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 due to concerns about its safety and effectiveness. The decision was made in response to the increasing use of ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19, with some people opting for the drug instead of getting vaccinated or seeking proper medical treatment.
The TGA's statement on the ban of ivermectin for COVID-19 highlights the potential risks associated with the drug. Ivermectin is not approved for use in COVID-19 treatment in Australia or other developed countries, and its use is strongly discouraged by several health organizations, including the National Covid Clinical Evidence Taskforce, the World Health Organization, and the US Food and Drug Administration. The TGA's decision was based on advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling and considered the evidence and awareness of medical practitioners about the risks and benefits of ivermectin.
Despite the TGA's ban, there have been reports of Australian doctors using ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients. One such example is the Ivermectin Triple Therapy (ITT), which was used by a group of doctors in Sydney and Melbourne. The ITT protocol combines ivermectin with doxycycline and zinc, and it reportedly showed promising results, with a significant reduction in hospital admissions and deaths compared to an equivalent control group. However, the TGA's concern extends beyond the effectiveness of ivermectin to the potential risks associated with self-administration and unsafe dosing.
While the TGA has only approved ivermectin for specific parasitic infections, it is important to note that some specialists, including infectious disease physicians, dermatologists, and gastroenterologists, can still prescribe the drug for unapproved conditions if they believe it is appropriate for a particular patient. The TGA's role is to balance the availability of treatments with ensuring the safety of the public, and their decisions are based on the best available evidence and consultation with relevant experts.
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Ivermectin is off-patent, affordable, and has been safely administered 3.7 billion times
Ivermectin is an anti-parasitic medication that has been approved by the FDA for use in humans to treat a variety of conditions caused by parasitic worms, including onchocerciasis (also known as river blindness), intestinal strongyloidiasis, hookworm, whipworm, and head lice. It is also used to treat skin conditions like rosacea. Ivermectin has been safely administered to humans 3.7 billion times.
The drug has been the subject of much debate during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some laboratory studies indicating that high levels of the medication might be effective against the coronavirus. This led to interest in ivermectin as a potential treatment or preventative measure for COVID-19. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals, and has warned against its use for this purpose.
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) banned the use of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 in September 2021 due to concerns about its safety and effectiveness. The TGA stated that ivermectin was not approved for use in COVID-19 in Australia or other developed countries and that its use was strongly discouraged by several health organizations. The TGA was also concerned that people might take ivermectin instead of getting vaccinated or receiving proper medical treatment for COVID-19.
Despite the ban, there were reports of Australians self-medicating with ivermectin, leading to hospitalizations and even deaths. In May 2023, the TGA lifted the ban on off-label use of ivermectin, allowing general practitioners to prescribe the drug for unapproved conditions if they believe it is appropriate for a particular patient. This decision was made after considering the low safety risks and the low potential for shortages of ivermectin for its approved uses.
Ivermectin is a generic medication that is off-patent, making it affordable and accessible. However, it is important to note that taking large doses of ivermectin can be dangerous and may cause serious side effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, seizures, coma, and even death. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before taking any medication.
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Frequently asked questions
Ivermectin was banned in Australia due to concerns that people with Covid-19 would take the drug instead of seeking proper treatment or getting vaccinated. The Australian government was also concerned that people would take advice on how to administer ivermectin and end up using it in unsafe doses.
Ivermectin is typically used for the treatment of river blindness, threadworms of the intestines, and scabies.
The ban on the off-label use of ivermectin in Australia was lifted in May 2023. Starting June 1, 2023, prescribing ivermectin for off-label uses will no longer be restricted to specialists and can be prescribed by general practitioners.
