Jamaica Public Hospitals Approach the Brink While Ivermectin Shipment in Delay
21/08/2021 No Comments
Risk and benefit analysis suggests if a drug with a well-established, safe profile can help then why wouldn’t such a drug be used?
Risk and benefit analysis suggests if a drug with a well-established, safe profile can help then why wouldn’t such a drug be used?
The heated debate on the use of Ivermectin to treat COVID-19 continued yesterday when outspoken reggae artiste Tanya Stephens questioned the relevance of not allowing people to decide for themselves what they wish to take to reduce symptoms.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health and Wellness recently signed the import permit to allow stocks of Ivermectin into Jamaica. This comes after rising cases due to the COVID-19 Delta variant and increasing public pressure. Supplies of the generic, anti-parasitic drug will come from Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals in New Jersey and be distributed by LASCO Pharmaceuticals in Jamaica. In general, doctors are pleased about having Ivermectin as an option.
In our carefully considered opinion, the available data on Ivermectin is quite adequate. There is no need to await the outcome of further trials. Any call for local trials prior to approval is unnecessary, as neither time, resources, nor ethical approval would permit.
“Potent anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties have now been demonstrated against SARS CoV-2. A significant body of peer-reviewed evidence has now emerged pointing to the fact that Ivermectin may decrease the case count and mortality rates when used as a prophylactic agent, and when used in the treatment of all stages of COVID-19. The safety profile of this drug is well demonstrated after 40 years of clinical use,” the MAJ president said.