NATIONAL NEWS - The urgent use of ivermectin for the treatment of Covid-19 is now legal.

This follows an agreement reached between civil rights organisation AfriForum and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) that was made an order of the court on 2 February by the Pretoria High Court.

AfriForum had lodged a court application to legalise urgent use of the drug to treat Covid-19 after doctors had failed to obtain approval from Sahpra. 

In South Africa, ivermectin is not registered for human use. In individual cases, special application has to be made for temporary use for treating head lice and scabies.

The court has now ordered that treatment of a Covid-19 patient may be initiated at the same time as an application is submitted by a doctor in terms of Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act. 

This applies to cases where the doctor is of the opinion that ivermectin treatment is urgent and critical for the patient.

"The quick access to medical treatment is a breakthrough for healthcare freedom and our battle against Covid-19, as the hurdle of pre-authorisation is no longer an issue," said Barend Uys, head of research at AfriForum, in a media statement. "It is an important first step in our effort to ensure access to ivermectin."

He said the part of their original application that involves the right of doctors and pharmacists to compose medicine according to article 14 (4) of the Act, has been postponed and will be placed on the normal court roll to be heard on a future date.

AfriForum has created a monitoring portal where challenges that are experienced with Sahpra's application process can be reported. It is available on their website.

• Ivermectin is registered for human use in some African countries where it is used to treat certain tropical diseases.

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