Ivermectin is still available on prescription for COVID-19 

27 July 2021 

The civil rights organisation AfriForum and the I can make a difference doctors group call on medical doctors and the public to take note of the fact that doctors can still prescribe ivermectin for COVID-19. This comes after the hearing of SAHPRA’s application for leave to appeal against the first two parts of the court order of 7 April 2021 continued today.  

The parts of the court order that SAHPRA wants to appeal determine that SAHPRA must report back to the court every three months about the state of affairs relating to ivermectin and that any party to the application may approach the court by way of a notice of motion and supplementary affidavits, for relief pertaining to any further aspects relating to the administration and allowance of the use of ivermectin as a treatment against COVID-19. This part of the order did not form part of the original settlements that was agreed to between the parties. 

The other parts of the court order is not influenced by the application for leave to appeal. These parts of the court order determines that a medicine containing ivermectin as an active ingredient has been registered by SAHPRA on 16 March 2021. The effect of the registration is that ivermectin may be compounded and made accessible in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(4) of the Medicine and Related Substances Act 101 of 1965. The order also determines that access to imported ivermectin may be provided in accordance with Section 21 of the Act. 

This means that ivermectin can still be prescribed by doctors for other purposes than stated on the label of the registered medicine (off-label use) – which includes the treatment of COVID-19. 

“The CEO of SAHPRA caused confusion with her references to both an “active ingredient” and the “formulation” of a medicine during SAHPRA’s presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee for Health. Access to invermectin in accordance with Section 14(4) of the Act is still possible and practically means that doctors can prescribe ivermectin on their own judgement and that no Section 21 application or reporting is required for compounded ivermectin,” says Barend Uys, Head of Research at AfriForum. 

“With so much propaganda and misinformation – I urge the South African public to take time to read full articles and do your own research before making decisions about your own body and your health. Knowledge is power – look at all sides before making any decisions about available treatment for COVID-19,” says doctor Naseeba Kathrada, founder of the I can make a difference doctors group. 

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum, 27 July 2021