Health MEC launches probe into Ivermectin overdoses in KZN
The Health MEC in KZN has ordered an investigation into two cases of patients who allegedly overdosed on Ivermectin in uMgungundlovu.
The two people were reported to have ended up in intensive care after taking a high dose of Ivermectin.
Addressing the media yesterday, MEC Nomagugu Simelane said the investigation will be conducted at a provincial level and outcomes will be taken up to the Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize and SAHPRA.
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The Ivermectin drug - which was recently called a 'miracle cure for Covid-19' - is a treatment for animals for parasites and is not approved by the regulatory body for treatment in humans in the country.
Simelane says her office has been inundated with calls from people wanting this drug to be used to treat the virus.
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"The issue I think we need to emphasise is that the utilisation of any drug in the country is controlled by SAHPRA and that is the mandate given to the national department of health."
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"So should there be any call for a province to use a particular drug it can't be made by that province but a call that goes to national," says Simelane.
Simelane and Mkhize will conduct an inspection of the province's major health facilities today.
We will have an update on that this afternoon.
