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Facebook posts on the social network and various articles praising ivermectin have become particularly prevalent in Brazil, France, South Africa and South Korea as governments face difficulties in vaccination campaigns.
“The EVA evaluated the most recent data on the use of ivermectin for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and concluded that the available data does not support the use of ivermectin for COVID-19 (infections) outside of well-planned clinical trials.” said the agency said.
The Amsterdam-based authority said it had received no requests to approve the use of the drug, which has long been used to kill parasites such as lice and to treat onchocerciasis in sub-Saharan Africa.
Additional testing is needed to ensure the drug is effective against the coronavirus, the EVA said.
Laboratory studies show that ivermectin can prevent the multiplication of the virus that causes COVID-19, “but at much higher ivermectin concentrations than currently found in authorized doses,” the regulator added.
Toxic effects cannot be ruled out at higher doses, EVA said.
“Results from clinical trials are mixed, with some showing no benefit and others reporting potential benefits,” the agency added.
