KUALA LUMPUR – William Leong Jee Keen (Selayang-PH) has asked the government to reconsider its stance on the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
This is despite, a nearly global consensus amongst medical professionals and bodies, that ivermectin is ineffective against the Covid-19 virus.
“We must admit this is a pandemic where no one in the world knows what this virus is, and how to treat it.
“However, the government must face this pandemic and make decisions to curb infections, although scientific evidence is lacking,” Leong told the Dewan Rakyat while debating Budget 2022 today.
He then urged the Health Ministry to continue their clinical trials on ivermectin and make a decision on the medicine’s use to treat Covid-19.
Leong also pointed out that waiting for concrete evidence before making a decision would take time.
Stating that there are a few factors for the government to consider, Leong suggested that scientific proof is only an element, while consideration must be given to society, economics and ethics.
“Following experts like Prof Dr Mustafa Ali, he said the summary by the Ivermectin Treatment Efficacy on Covid-19 High-Risk Patients suggests that the drug is ineffective against serious infections.
“But ivermectin can be used to prevent (infections) and given as a prophylactic.
“So, I ask the government to reconsider, and take into account all factors,” Leong added.
So far, medical professionals and bodies have said that there is no evidence to support the use of ivermectin to treat Covid-19.
Similarly, the European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration said that data showing the effectiveness of ivermectin to treat Covid-19 is lacking, and that the drug is not authorised for use in treating Covid-19 outside clinical trials.
Confusion arose over the use of ivermectin for Covid-19 patients when research papers suggested positive results among patients.
However, these studies were later retracted due to possibly false or insufficient data. – The Vibes, November 11, 2021
