Ivermectin for Covid-19: Not enough evidence, warn WHO and doctors

A study by Merck, a manufacturer of Ivermectin, found that there is no scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against Covid-19 from pre-clinical studies

A debate has broken out over the safety and efficacy of the drug Ivermectin after Goa’s Health Minister Vishwajit Rane announced that all adults (18 and above) be given the medicine as prophylaxis to bring down mortality amid a surge in Covid cases. 

Scientists and doctors, including the World Health Organisation (WHO), have advised against the use of Ivermectin for Covid. Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist, WHO, said, “Safety and efficacy are important when using any drug for a new indication. WHO recommends against the use of ivermectin for Covid-19 except within clinical trials.”

Rane had said that expert panels from the UK,