Ivermectin as a Covid-19 treatment – what’s stopping its authorisation? – Lena Giersiefen

Covid-19 has been with us, sadly, for just over a year and a half. Despite advancements in research – to understand the virus better – and the advent of vaccines, we're still no closer to finding a treatment for Covid (in the early stages, at least). Vaccines may be effective, but they're not full proof. We only have to look to Israel to see what's happening there. Despite myriad citizens receiving their vaccine, the ever-spreading Delta variant has seemingly evaded the Pfizer shot's protection. According to The Wall Street Journal, over half the adults infected by the new strain were fully vaccinated, prompting the nation to reimpose mask wearing (indoors, at least). Below, Rebecca Giersiefen looks at ivermectin, a cheap drug that many believe has the ability to prevent many Covid-related deaths. As she writes, there's more evidence for ivermectin than there is for remdesivir – it also costs a lot less, too. "Ivermectin only costs a handful of dollars. The price of remdesivir on the other hand is over $2,000 for five days of treatment." Giesiefen discusses this in relation to pharma companies and their desire for profit, as well as the reasons various institutions have given for not authorising ivermectin. A very thought provoking – and thoroughly researched – piece. – Jarryd Neves

By Lena Giersiefen*

We are a year and a half into the pandemic, and there are still no treatments for early Covid. Even with vaccines, the disease is not going away completely, and treatments remain relevant. So far, however, there is no authorised medication doctors can prescribe when you get Covid in a Western country. Treatment only starts when you go to hospital. There, people receive supportive care like intravenous fluids or ventilation,[1] and Covid-specific drugs like corticosteroids that have been proven to reduce mortality in critically ill patients. 

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