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Alberta pharmacists warned not to dispense ivermectin for COVID-sick people

Last Updated Sep 23, 2021 at 9:13 pm MDT

EDMONTON – Some Alberta pharmacists have received a warning from their regulatory group for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 and dispensing ivermectin to people sick with the virus.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta (CPSA) and the Alberta College of Pharmacy (ACP) both say they’ve received some concerning reports about doctors and pharmacists prescribing and filling orders of the horse dewormer to be used in humans, not on livestock.


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The two groups say this is concerning.

“There is no evidence that ivermectin in either formulation is safe or effective when used for those purposes. The human version of ivermectin is authorized for sale in Canada only for the treatment of parasitic worm infections in people,” the CPSA and ACP wrote in a joint statement.

“There is certainly significant risk of patient harm when ivermectin is used in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. CPSA and ACP do not believe these behaviours align with a physicians’ or pharmacists’ professional responsibility to their patients.”

Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have both issued warnings about taking the medication to treat COVID-19.


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Alberta Health Services has also warned against using the dewormer.

The CPSA and ACP say ivermectin is not to be prescribed or dispensed in any way, shape, or form for those looking to use it as a COVID-19 treatment.

The groups reinforced that vaccination is the best option to prevent and fight COVID-19 infections.

Earlier this week, the CPSA warned doctors against spreading misinformation about the virus and giving into pressure to issue fake medical exemption cards in order to allow people to avoid having to wear masks or get vaccinated.

-with files from the Canadian Press