The National Medicines Regulatory Authority has approved M/S George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd to import and clear Ivermectin Tablets USP 12 mg at a request made by Manager-Regulatory Affairs, George Steuart Health (Pvt) Ltd.
According to WHO guidelines, Ivermectinshould only be used in clinical trials.
According to the WHO, the current evidence on the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients is inconclusive. Until more data is available, WHO recommends that the drug only be used within clinical trials.
This recommendation, which applies to patients with COVID-19 of any disease severity, is now part of WHO’s guidelines on COVID-19 treatments.
Ivermectin is a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic agent, included in the WHO essential medicines list for several parasitic diseases. It is used in the treatment of onchocerciasis (river blindness), strongyloidiasis and other diseases caused by soil-transmitted helminthiasis. It is also used to treat scabies.
In Sri Lanka, a panel of Medical specialists also advised against the use of Ivermectin to treat Covid 19 patients.
The specialists said that there is insufficient evidence to recommend for or against the use of Ivermectin.
If any clinician is using Ivermectin they strongly suggest documenting indication disease status etc.
The manufacturer of the particular pharmaceutical is M/S TAJ Pharmaceuticals of Bake House Lane Fort, Mumbai, India.
The NMRA states that they approved the import under the powers vested on NMRAin section 109 of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act No 5 of 2015.
However, according to other reports, there is a surge in using Ivermectin against moderate and severe Covid 19 infections.
The letter written by the NMRA to the Controller of Imports and Exports is annexed.
