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By Nathan Craig 
7h ago
Ivermectin, a Nobel Prize-winning discovery, has become a black market drug as traffickers try to meet a growing demand.
Japanese microbiologist Satoshi Omura made the discovery in 1975 and together with William Campbell they won the 2015 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for the dewormer.
The drug is used to treat parasites in animals and has been touted in recent weeks as a possible Covid-19 treatment, as early administration has shown to reduce viral loads; however, experts have remained cautious.
But now, as healthcare professionals, lobbyists and personal testimonies flood social media supporting its use against Covid-19, the lawsuit has skyrocketed in total violation of its legal status.
The South African Health Products Authority (Sahpra), the regulatory authority for medication and clinical trials, is adamant that ivermectin was not legalized for human consumption and is only authorized for use in animals.
More conclusive evidence would be needed to approve its use to treat Covid-19 patients.
In addition, the Co-Chairs of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19, Professor Salim Abdool Karim and Professor Marian Jacobs advised the Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, not to use ivermectin to treat Covid-19 patients.
“Until more robust evidence is available, the use of ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of Covid-19 is not justified.
“Ivermectin clinical trials need to be followed closely.
“Unregulated distribution channels run the risk of introducing counterfeit and substandard products, which can be harmful to humans.
health. “However, several sources, including members of the public and medical professionals, said they had taken, stored or could supply to those in need for a price.
One source said they had to build trusting relationships before purchasing quantities of the drug from suppliers.
“It took weeks, long phone calls and a lot of work to get a supply.
“It is illegal and people are very cautious about who to count and sell.
“No one else knows I have it, I’m storing it for my family in case one of us contracts Covid-19.”
Another said the price fluctuated per tablet based on the number of shares a distributor owned, but the price was climbing into the thousands.
“One offered it for R150 per tablet, while others asked for more than
1000 rand, but prices keep rising and people are willing to pay.
“They are scared and we don’t have vaccines, so they think the drug will give them a fighting chance.
“Some people use it as a preventive measure.”
Another source working in a private practice medical dispensary used the dispensary as a front to sell the drug.
A Facebook group called South Africa is entitled to ivermectin was established, with about 50,000 members.
There is also an ongoing petition for the legalization of the drug with around 44,000 signatures addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Mkhize, Sahpra and the South African Medical Research Council.
Illicit trade expert Telita Snyckers said there were parallels between the current demand for ivermectin and the demands for alcohol and tobacco during their respective bans.
“The illicit trade is driven by a product that is too expensive or too regulated, making it difficult to obtain legally.
“The drivers, the types of players and the dynamics will probably be very similar.
“There is the whole supply and demand side, and the issues related to products that are diverted from legal supply chains because the supply chain controls are weak, which means that as long as there is demand, people are it will ensure that there is a supply regardless of legality, “he said. said.
Snyckers said more interventions should be made to mitigate growth and market expansion.
“The authorities must increase the rhetoric about the dangers of using black market drugs.
“The threat of counterfeits abounds and they kill.
“The average consumer would find it difficult to distinguish counterfeits.
“With regard to supply chain control, the same is true for all commodities, better control of manufacturers’ declarations, better border control, secure tracking and drug tracing.
“The fear is that opportunists can go for it to make a quick buck no matter who it hurts and this is something we are already seeing around the world.”
SUNDAY TRIBUNE
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