R126m worth of 'Ivermectin' seized at OR Tambo

The anti-parasitic drug is said to be effective in treating COVID-19.

It’s not registered for use on humans in the country, but the Health Products Regulatory Authority recently announced it would allow and facilitate controlled and compassionate access to it.

The police's Athlenda Mathe says officers at the airport this week found a cargo container from India during the inspection, "Upon a compliance verification of the unregistered medicines by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, authorities found that the company that had imported the medicines into the country had done so without the necessary written approval and authorisation."

Mathe says while no arrests have been made as yet the police through its Interpol office is working with authorities from India to establish the exact delivery address of the consignment." 

In January 2021, seven suspects were arrested for the illegal importation of unregistered medicine mostly found to be Ivermectin.

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 One person was arrested at the King Shaka International Airport while six others were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.

Mathe says all seven accused have already appeared before the court and are currently out on bail.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the unregistered medicines had been imported for sale purposes, and would have been utilized in the treatment of the COVID-19 virus.

"The South African Police Service(SAPS) therefore draws the attention of pharmaceutical companies, including health experts to section 22(c) of the Medicines Act which clearly states that anyone who wishes to import medicines into the country must have written authority from SAHPRA.

 It should be further noted that those who do not comply with the Act will be apprehended and brought before a court of law to answer to illegal dealing and/or importation of unregistered medicines," she adds.