Do Deworming Drugs Kill the COVID-19 Virus?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Controversy has arisen as claims emerge that antiparasitic drugs, following cancer treatment, are also effective against the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 3rd, researchers at the Monash University Biomedical Research Institute in Australia published a study stating that ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug developed by the American company Merck, is effective against COVID-19. The research team presented cell culture experiment results showing that ivermectin kills the COVID-19 virus within 48 hours.

Dr. Kylie Wagstaff, who led the study at Monash University's Institute of Biomedical Discovery, said, "After a single dose, all RNA (genetic material) of the coronavirus disappeared within 24 hours," adding, "After 48 hours, the amount of coronavirus was reduced to one five-thousandth compared to untreated cells."

Ivermectin is an antiparasitic ingredient used to treat various parasites. It can treat lice, scabies, river blindness, strongyloidiasis, lymphatic filariasis, and other parasitic diseases. It has been designated as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization (WHO) and has been distributed free of charge in underdeveloped countries.

Domestic experts urged caution as the effectiveness of ivermectin in treating COVID-19 has not been proven. A representative from the Korean Medical Association stated, "Antiparasitic drugs should not be used for purposes other than deworming based on unproven effects," and "Please be careful not to misuse antiparasitic drugs based on unverified information."

The Korean Pharmaceutical Association also said, "It has not been officially verified whether ivermectin acts appropriately in the human body," and "When selling ivermectin-containing antiparasitic drugs for animals, member pharmacies have been informed to confirm the intended use with buyers."

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, also emphasized, "The paper does not verify the effect of administering ivermectin to humans but suggests that it may have an effect at the cellular level," adding, "This is a research-stage suggestion regarding the drug, and since it is not a clinically verified result, there are limitations to applying it clinically."