Ascendis Health SENS statement:
Ascendis Health has noted that a product within the Company’s Animal Health portfolio, Ivermax 1%, an antiparasitic remedy for livestock, is being promoted on social media as a potential treatment for Covid-19 in humans.
In line with the General Principles of the JSE Listings Requirements to ensure that full, equal and timeous public disclosure is made to all shareholders of Ascendis Health and the general public at large regarding the activities of the Company that may be price sensitive, Ascendis Health would hereby like to distance itself from these reports and urges the public to make informed and safe choices regarding their health and only utilise products that have been scientifically proven.
Although Ivermax contains Ivermectin, which has recently made headlines as a so-called “miracle cure” for Covid-19, the Company would like to state that Ivermax is not indicated or approved by Ascendis Health for use in humans.
Whilst Ivermectin is being promoted as an affordable and effective antidote to Covid-19 the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA), has not authorised it as a treatment for Covid-19.
On 22 December 2020, SAHPRA released a statement that “Ivermectin is not indicated nor approved by SAHPRA for use in humans. There is no confirmatory data on Ivermectin available as yet for its use in the management of Covid-19 infections. In terms of safety and efficacy, there is no evidence to support the use of Ivermectin and we do not have any clinical trial evidence to justify its use.”
Ascendis Health prioritises the quality, safety and efficacy of our products, and the health and well-being of South Africans. Ascendis urges the public not to use Ivermax to treat the pandemic.
