Flyers promoting ivermectin as COVID-19 treatment prompt warning in B.C. city
Flyers promoting the use of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 are circulating in Kelowna B.C., prompting a warning from the local health authority about the dangers of the unauthorized use of the drug.
On Friday, Interior Health shared an image of the flyer on social media. Its background features illustrations of the virus that causes COVID-19 and the text invites people to contact the seller.
"Email me with the promo code below and receive a confidential reply with wholesale process. Local pick up, drop off or national shipping available," it says. The health authority has blacked out the contact details.
The accompanying warning from Interior Health says using either veterinary or human versions of the anti-parasitic drug is not authorized for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.
"Using this product may cause serious health problems," the tweet says.
Commonly described as a "horse de-wormer," ivermectin has also been approved for treatment of parasitic worm infections in humans in Canada. In August of last year, federal health officials issued an advisory after seeing an increase in the off-label use of the drug.
"Health Canada is advising Canadians not to use either the veterinary or human drug versions of ivermectin to prevent or treat COVID-19. There is no evidence that ivermectin in either formulation is safe or effective when used for those purposes," the warning said.
"The veterinary version of ivermectin, especially at high doses, can be dangerous for humans and may cause serious health problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure, allergic reactions, dizziness, seizures, coma and even death."
In October, the warning was updated and re-issued after an uptick in calls to poison control centres across the country. That warning specifically addressed advertising the drug as a treatment for COVID-19.
"It is illegal in Canada to sell or advertise a drug in a false, misleading or deceptive manner," it said, adding that the drug was being actively advertised at that time.
"Health Canada continues to monitor the situation. In the event of additional cases of illegal marketing activities involving ivermectin products as a treatment for COVID-19 are identified, the department will take action to mitigate the risk to Canadians."
The distribution of the flyers comes at a time when concerns about an impending COVID-19 surge are mounting in B.C.
Last Wednesday, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix spoke about fall respiratory viruses, particularly COVID-19 and influenza, and their serious concerns the province could be hit with a flood of hospitalizations from both at the same time.
The next day, the province reported its largest one-week increase in the number of people in hospital with COVID-19 since July.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.