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
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.