COVID-19: Alberta Health Services Says Advisory Group Observes Problems With Ivermectin Studies | The Canadian News

Alberta Health Services says its scientific advisory group has updated its review on the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19, warning that existing studies have problems and the available evidence does not consider it safe.

The province’s health agency says in a series of tweets that studies to date on the use of ivermectin, which is used primarily to treat cases of worms in cattle, in the new coronavirus have “inadequate controls” and “design. defective”.

The agency also notes that existing studies suffer from biases and small sample sizes, and that some of those previously shared have also been withdrawn due to concerns about fraudulent data.

It says more research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of ivermectin in preventing or treating COVID-19.

On Friday, the agency issued a warning about the dangers of ivermectin after a Vancouver doctor said in a social media post that he had used the drug to treat three COVID-19 patients while admitted to a rural hospital in Rimbey, Alta. , last month.

He says there is considerable uncertainty as to whether there is any benefit from ivermectin, but harms are known.

“We urge the public not to misuse any medications in their efforts to prevent or control COVID-19,” the health agency said in its tweets on Saturday.

“Vaccination remains our best means of preventing COVID-19 at this time.”

The agency has said it will conduct a review after receiving complaints about the doctor, but he is not scheduled to return to work as a replacement in Alberta’s health system.

Calls to Alberta’s poison and drug information service about ivermectin have also increased.