Canadian poison centres are reporting an increase in cases of people ingesting veterinary ivermectin to attempt to prevent or treat COVID-19
Health Canada is once again reminding Canadians not to use the medication, which is primarily used to treat certain parasitic roundworm infections in animals.
It says there is no evidence that ivermectin works to prevent or treat COVID-19, and it is not authorized for this use.
To date, Health Canada has also not received any drug submission or applications for clinical trials for ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
It says Canadians should never consume health products intended for animals because of potential serious health risks, including seizures, coma and even death.
Recently, Health Canada became aware that ivermectin had been advertised in Canada for the treatment of COVID-19. It is illegal in Canada to sell or advertise a drug in a false, misleading or deceptive manner. The Department took action and directed advertisers to remove the non-compliant advertisements.
Health Canada continues to monitor the situation. In the event of additional cases of illegal marketing activities involving ivermectin products as a treatment for COVID-19 are identified, the Department will take action to mitigate the risk to Canadians.
It had issued a similar warning this summer.
For more details from Health Canada, please click here.
(1/2) Canadian poison centres are reporting an increase in cases of people ingesting veterinary #ivermectin to attempt to prevent or treat #COVID19. https://t.co/iOBtKgBIfV pic.twitter.com/hmSszMU6Bq
— Health Canada and PHAC (@GovCanHealth) October 20, 2021