20 Jul 2021

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is yet to study Ivermectin in consideration for COVID-19 management, Parliament has heard.

This was revealed by health and wellness assistant minister, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe in response to a parliamentary question recently.

Mr Lelatisitswe explained that the ministry had not yet considered its use owing to the current scientific evidence, which had indicated that the use of Ivermectin should be restricted to clinical trials only.

Again, he said the use of medicines in the ministry was premised on scientific evidence and all medicines were regulated by Botswana Medical Regulatory Authority (BOMRA).

“I can confidently say that BOMRA has not licensed the use of Ivermectin for the management of COVID-19. I am also not privy to information on whether there are some Batswana who are using Ivermectin. Whether the drug is effective or not, that is determined by scientific evidence,” he said.

Furthermore, he said the ministry had not yet carried out any research to determine the effectiveness of Ivermectin on COVID-19, hence there were no findings to refer to as negative.

Nevertheless, he said the ministry was aware that there were some countries using Ivermectin for both prevention and cure of COVID-19.

The assistant minister was responding to questions asked by Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, who wanted to know if the minister was aware that many countries were using Ivermectin for both cure and prevention of COVID-19.

Mr Mmolotsi also wanted to know if the ministry would consider the use of Ivermectin.

The MP asked if the minister was aware that some Batswana were already using Ivermectin and could attest to its effectiveness. Further, Mr Mmolotsi wanted to know if the ministry had any negative research findings on Ivermectin use. ENDS