Use of unapproved COVID-19 drugs upsets authorities

Veterinary drug ivermectin, doxycycline and nanosilver have surfaced as some of the unsanctioned drugs that desperate Zimbabweans are using to treat COVID-19, but regulatory authorities have warned against their use.

Last week national drugs controller the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe said it had received incessant inquiries and reports concerning the use of ivermectin injection for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

"Veterinary ivermectin is not indicated nor is it approved by the authority for use in humans. The authority strongly advises members of the public, veterinary medicines general dealers and health practitioners against the use of veterinary formulations of ivermectin injections for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 or any other health condition," Richard Rukwata, the authority's acting director-general, warned.

Rukwata said unapproved uses of medicines can lead to negative health problems, even death, adding that any researchers interested in exploring novel therapeutics for COVID-19 can only do so under clinical trials settings or after prior authorization by his organization.

This week, the Medical and Dental Practitioners Council of Zimbabwe added its voice against the growing use of unapproved drugs. The medical and dental profession regulator said there has been widespread advertising by some medical practitioners claiming the ability to treat COVID-19 using ivermectin, doxycycline and nanosilver.

"Various packages have been put out in the media for 'prevention and treatment' and the protocols thereof," the council said. "There are several ongoing studies looking at the safety and effectiveness of ivermectin in COVID-19 treatment. So far, no evidence has come out to warrant its registration and widespread use to treat COVID-19 patients."

The council said nanosilver is not registered for use in treating COVID-19 and only one clinic was recently granted a two month licence to import specified quantities of the drug from South Africa, strictly for research. Doxycycline is a restricted prescription drug not to be sold by any practitioner.

Zimbabwe, like much of the world, is in the throes of an unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus, which has stretched medical services, led to massive deaths and caused a meltdown of economies.

The unofficial use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 also has emerged in South Africa, where two people in Pietermartizburg recently ended up in the intensive care unit after taking an overdose of the drug.

Drugs regulator the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority early this month confirmed extensive reports of the use of ivermectin for prophylaxis or treatment of COVID-19.

The South African authority said to date there is no data to confirm whether ivermectin is available for use in the management of COVID-19 infections or any clinical trial evidence to justify its use.

As of Saturday, Zimbabwe had a little over 30,500 infections and 962 deaths, while by the same date South Africa had reported nearly 1.4 million infections and 40,076 deaths.