Warning over using anti-parasitic drug as Covid-19 medicine by authorities

Many in Sri Lanka have been self-prescribing the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin as a medicine for Covid-19, believing fake posts online,reports say.Ivermectin is used to treat parasites such as worms and lice in humans and it is also used by veterinarians to de-worm large animals.

 On Thursday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had issued a health advisory warning doctors and the public about the "rapid increase" in prescriptions for the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin.The CDC also cautions about an increase in reports of severe illness caused by the drug to poison centers.

 Dr. Sanath Senanayake, senior lecturer in the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo has said that some drugs are only prescribed for animals and would lead to disastrous situations when used by humans.

Meanwhile, Prof. Ashoka Dangolla of the University of Peradeniya has said that although ivermectin is an anti-parasitic drug, it is capable of combating viruses. 

He has added that several countries have achieved successful results by prescribing the drug to Covid-19 patients.He had made these remarks while speaking with 'Derana TV'.Earlier, the channel largely promoted the tonic 'Dhammika Peniya', which was touted as a COVID-19 remedy by its creator - Dhammika Bandara. The syrup also received unofficial state backing. Among those who had done so included former Health minister - Pavithra Wanniarachchi. However, earlier this month, the temporary license issued for the 'Dhammika Peniya' was revoked.