Ivermectin Clinical Trial To Involve 500 Covid-19 Patients, Khairy Jamaluddin Reveals More Details

By Quinny Tan  •  24 Sep 2021 in News

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The infamous Covid-19 vaccine ‘alternative’ makes headlines again, though now we might finally find out the efficacy rates of it.

The findings of a study done on the discourse-stirring medicine are expected to be presented to the Health Ministry stakeholders within the next month.

The clinical trial, titled “Ivermectin Treatment Efficacy in Covid-19 High-Risk Patients,” (I-Tech for short), will consist of 500 patients which will be recruited by the end of September, said Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.

“After that, the findings of the study are expected to be presented to the Health Ministry’s stakeholders in October,” he said.

Oscar Ling Chai Yew of Harapan-Sibu had previously asked the minister himself to reveal information and particulars on the preliminary findings of I-Tech.

Khairy had issued a parliamentary reply to Oscar yesterday, providing more details about the clinical trial.

“The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin in preventing patients from slipping into Categories 4 and 5,” Khairy said.

According to the Health Minister, over 350 Covid-19 patients have been involved in the study as of August and that an interim analysis of the safety of the patients had been implemented after 30 percent of recruitment.

A report done by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) came to the conclusion that there have been no significant side effects from the I-Tech clinical trial.

“Subsequently, an efficiency analysis will be conducted upon recruiting 50 percent of the patients. The DSMB has recommended that the study be continued until it is completed,” Khairy added.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a report on why Ivermectin should not be used to treat or prevent Covid-19, along with an informative list of what we need to know about the medicine.

The list comprised of how Ivermectin has not been approved by the FDA for treating the virus in both humans and animals, and is more commonly used in the treatment for infections from parasitic worms.

“Never use medications intended for animals on yourself or other people. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous,” said the report.

They also concluded that the most effective way to limit the spread of the virus is to get vaccinated as soon as it is available to individuals.

Ivermectin has not been officially registered for the prevention and/or treatment of Covid-19, and is only authorised to be used for this very reason in the clinical trials that are taking place in 12 hospitals in the country.

MalaysiaKini reported that individuals caught selling the anti-parasitic drug as treatment and prevention of Covid-19 can be fined between RM25,000 and RM50,000.

Despite this ongoing clinical trial, we at JUICE advise everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible to curb the virus and comply with the recovery contingency plans put in place. Stay safe!