ONCE again we're holding our heads in our hands as conspiracy theorists race for the next unproven COVID-19 miracle cure, rather than getting vaccinated.
As had been the case with hydroxychloroquine, when it was touted as a treatment for the pandemic virus, without significant evidence, pharmacies in the US are now facing a flood of prescriptions for ivermectin, after a pre-print study (which has since been withdrawn) suggested it delivered positive results.
US news site, The Daily Beast, reported that as pharmacies have limited supplies of the antiparasitic, some of those refusing Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved COVID vaccines have "taken to raiding rural tractor supply stores in search of ivermectin horse paste" to treat the virus.
"Personally I haven't had this situation, but if I did, I would sneak horse paste into the hospital and would rub it into the armpit myself to save my loved one," one Facebook conspiracy fan said.
While it may seem far-fetched to believe there are people out there who will turn to veterinary medicines over human vaccines, a Texas-based poison control specialist noted "there is certainly a noticeable increase in calls to poisons centres regarding ivermectin being misused".
"It's clear the majority are associated with a belief it will prevent or treat COVID-19," the specialist said.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Aug 21
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