Singapore — The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was able to intercept the illegal importation of ivermectin and other drugs into Singapore via postal parcels five times between Sept 10 and Oct 6 at Changi Airfreight Centre and Airmail Transit Centre (Air Cargo Command).
Ivermectin has been touted as an anti-Covid drug and has been taken by some either as a preventative or a cure. It is mainly used to treat parasites in animals, and at times is given to humans as well, for parasite treatment and specific skin conditions such as rosacea.
While early studies on the drug had some promising results, scientists worldwide have cautioned against its use, as the drug can have serious side effects.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday (Oct 19), ICA said that the people who ordered the medications “either failed to declare the items or had declared them as ‘Healthcare Products’.”
The orders had not been authorised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and were detected by ICA agents during the scanning of the parcels.
Upon opening the parcels, 23,100 ivermectin tablets, 2,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets and 2,048 mycophenolate mofetil tablets were discovered.
Like ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, was touted as a cure for Covid, while mycophenolate mofetil is administered to prevent the rejection of kidney, heart, or liver transplants.
“HSA takes a serious view against those engaged in the illegal import, sale and supply of medicines, including ivermectin, and will take strong enforcement action against such persons,” wrote the ICA on Tuesday.
The US Food and Drug Administration warned against using ivermectin to treat Covid, saying that “currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19.”
It also warned that overdosing on the drug can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, coma, and even death.
However, this hasn’t stopped people all over the world from buying and taking the drug. Furthermore, many people who are against the Covid-19 vaccines have seemingly embraced ivermectin.
In Singapore, some people have been buying it online, according to a recent report. Ivermectin may only be bought with a prescription, which is likely the reason why people have been communicating via Telegram groups for purchasing the drug.
On Sept 8, the Health Sciences Authority commented on the matter, telling TODAY, “So far, there is no scientific evidence from properly conducted clinical trials to prove that this medicine is effective against Covid-19.
Consumers are strongly advised not to self-medicate with ivermectin and to consult their doctor for proper treatment of Covid-19.” /TISG
Read also: Church friends convince S’porean to take Ivermectin for COVID-19, ends up hospitalised
Church friends convince S’porean to take Ivermectin for COVID-19, ends up hospitalised