​Qaqambile Mdledle
The South Africa Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has reiterated its call for the public not to use Ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19.
In a statement on Friday, the authority said its stance was aligned to that of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the ivermectin did not have proven antiviral properties for COVID-19 treatment.
"SAHPRA echoes the USFDA's stance that Ivermectin does not have proven antiviral properties against SARS-COV-2, but it is currently used to treat parasitic conditions in animals.
"It is also used to treat certain conditions in humans such as very specific doses for some parasitic worms, and there are topical formulations for head lice and skin conditions like rosacea," SAHPRA CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela said.
SAHPRA registered Soolantra 10mg/g cream formulation, which contains ivermectin. 
Soolantra Cream is indicated for the topical treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory lesions of papulopustular rosacea in adult patients and is not suitable for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
Semete-Makokotlela said they are monitoring the illegal sale of so-called Ivermectin by unscrupulous individuals. The public should not buy any drug online or from unauthorised dealers.
"As SAHPRA's focus is on the health and well-being of the South African public, we continuously engage the scientific and medical community to explore the options for controlled, monitored access to reliable quality ivermectin-containing products for human use with simple but essential reporting requirements," he said.
SAHPRA reminded citizens that medical professionals should oversee the medical treatment of any disease. ​