stereomatch | 10 points
South African Report: Ivermectin to be Accepted by SAHPRA for Widespread Societal Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic but That Won’t Matter Much (Mar 16, 2021) - held back by practical restrictions on import of ingredients into SA
[-] stereomatch | 3 points | Mar 17 2021 12:27:39
BIRD panel (Dr Tess Lawrie assembled advisory group) Twitter post:
https://twitter.com/BIRDGroupUK/status/1371866136787226625?s=19
SA has reached an out of court settlement supported by the BiRD evidence - drs will be allowed to prescribe ivm from tomorrow compounded by pharmacists
https://trialsitenews.com/south-african-report-ivermectin-to-be-accepted-by-sahpra-for-widespread-societal-use-during-the-covid-19-pandemic-but-that-wont-matter-much/ South African Report: Ivermectin to be Accepted by SAHPRA for Widespread Societal Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic but That Won’t Matter Much
By TrialSite Staff
March 16, 2021
... the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) communicated to a legal challenger that the regulatory body would change its policy to accept the use of ivermectin as a means of targeting SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19. Reports are that starting Wednesday March 16, once a particular ivermectin-based product (a cream) is registered, doctors can prescribe ivermectin without having to apply to SAHPRA to do so and compounding pharmacists and licensed doctors can then compound ivermectin for human use. A victory in spirit only for a group that was taking legal action, led by the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and an activist group known as AfriForum as they filed court motions against SAHPRA and the Minister of Health for access to the drug. Yes, in a twist, the ingredients to produce the drug must be accessed within the country. If production relies on imports, then the Section 21 rules apply, meaning each and every treatment requires a consultation with SAHPRA. Hence from Wednesday onward, while there is a legal pathway for prescribing physicians and pharmacists to compound ivermectin for purposes of treating COVID-19, the actual practicalities of compounding and distributing the medication make pragmatic implementation nearly impossible. The decision has essentially created more layers of bureaucracy, which serve to keep cost-effective, generic treatments at bay. Only a regulatory waiver by the Minister of Health could change this situation.
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