Ivermectin

For reasons that have yet to be revealed, one of the most promising adjuncts to treatment and prevention of Covid-19 has had a hard road to achieve acceptance.

It appears that the Pharmaceutical juggernaut will not suffer any competition for its marketing drive around the world, and get in the way of total acceptance of only one solution, novel vaccines. Even if the competition is one of their own.

 

Ivermectin is one of the safest human drugs known to medicine. (1)  In 2015, the Nobel Committee for Physiology or Medicine, in its only award for treatments of infectious diseases since six decades prior, honoured the discovery of ivermectin (IVM), a multifaceted drug deployed against some of the world’s most devastating tropical diseases. (2)

The US National Library of Medicine reports:

Since March 2020, when IVM was first used against a new global scourge, COVID-19, more than 20 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have tracked such inpatient and outpatient treatments. Six of seven meta-analyses of IVM treatment RCTs reporting in 2021 found notable reductions in COVID-19 fatalities, with a mean 31% relative risk of mortality vs. controls. During mass IVM treatments in Peru, excess deaths fell by a mean of 74% over 30 days in its ten states with the most extensive treatments. (2)

 

Research

As of November 2021, there have been 44 peer-reviewed studies, showing in a meta-analysis a 86% Prophylaxis benefit, with 71% in early treatment and 38% in late treatment.

An additional 21 studies have been undertaken, as yet reviewed, showing similar results.

Read Full Meta Analysis with links to all papers

 

Global Adoption of Ivermectin

Ivermectin is currently used for about 28% of the world’s population. Over 20 countries have adopted ivermectin for COVID-19.

Ivermectin Adoption

 

 

What’s holding us up then?

Given the potential of this treatment, even if only as an adjunct rather than a main player, it is incredible that multiple options, especially given the low cost of Ivrmectin, are not entertained.

What’s holding us up then? Of this we cannot be sure, but there are credible possibilities that could explain the rather bizzare attitude adopted by our government.

  1. Part of the agreement between the NZ Government and Pfizer stipulates exclusivity
  2. The Government’s elimination strategy, failed as it is, depended upon having a solution to combat Covid. The technology chosen must work for them, whatever, even if that includes vaccinating 100% of the population, and conducting a vicious publicity against those who will not comply, and also to mock alternative solutions.
  3. Monocular vision.
  4. Hanlon’s Razor:  “never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity“

 

(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043740/

(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34466270/

The initial indications appear to be very  encouraging and the Oxford University study into Ivermectin promised in February and cancelled for unknown reasons is now finally going ahead.

If it shows Ivermectin to be effective then there should be a public enquiry into why this was delayed.

Ivermectin, ‘Wonder drug’ from Japan

There are few drugs that can seriously lay claim to the title of ‘Wonder drug’, penicillin and aspirin being two that have perhaps had greatest beneficial impact on the health and wellbeing of Mankind. But ivermectin can also be considered alongside those worthy contenders, based on its versatility, safety and the beneficial impact that it has had, and continues to have, worldwide—especially on hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest people.

Several extensive reports, including reviews authored by us, have been published detailing the events behind the discovery, development and commercialization of the avermectins and ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B), as well as the donation of ivermectin and its use in combating Onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043740/

Ivermectin for Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19 Infection

Brief Summary:

The findings indicate with moderate certainty that ivermectin treatment in COVID-19 provides a significant survival benefit. Our certainty of evidence judgment was consolidated by the results of trial sequential analyses, which show that the required IS has probably already been met. Low-certainty evidence on improvement and deterioration also support a likely clinical benefit of ivermectin. Low-certainty evidence suggests a significant effect in prophylaxis. Overall, the evidence also suggests that early use of ivermectin may reduce morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. This is based on (1) reductions in COVID-19 infections when ivermectin was used as prophylaxis, (2) the more favorable effect estimates for mild to moderate disease compared with severe disease for death due to any cause, and (3) on the evidence demonstrating reductions in deterioration.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8248252/