CHIEF DIRECTORATE: EMERGENCY & CLINICAL SERVICES SUPPORT

DIRECTORATE: PHARMACY SERVICES

Reference: 18/2/18/7
Enquiries: Helen Hayes; Yasmina Johnson

CIRCULAR NO: H15 / 2021

TO: DDG: CHIEF OF OPERATIONS

CHIEF DIRECTORS; DIRECTORS; HEADS OF INSTITUTIONS
MANAGER: CAPE MEDICAL DEPOT
HEAD OF HEALTH: CITY OF CAPE TOWN
RESPONSIBLE PHARMACIST: CHRONIC DISPENSING UNIT

N.B. FOR CIRCULATION TO ALL MEDICAL, PARAMEDICAL, PHARMACEUTICAL AND NURSING

PERSONNEL

IVERMECTIN FOR PROPHYLAXIS AND TREATMENT OF COVID‐19

The National Department of Health Essential Medicines List and Standard Treatment
Guidelines detail medicines used in public sector health care facilities. The Western Cape
Provincial Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PPTC) aligns with the National
Department of Health Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) recommendations.

A recent NEMLC COVID-19 sub-committee rapid review (dated 25 January 2021)

concluded that there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend ivermectin for use in
the management of COVID 19; that further data from large, well designed randomised
control trials is urgently needed; and that ivermectin not be used routinely for COVID‐19,
except in the context of a clinical trial.

NDOH EML Rapid Reviews for ivermectin are published on the NDOH website:
http://www.health.gov.za/covid-19-rapid-reviews/

The SAHPRA decision on Section 21 access to ivermectin (dated 28 January 2021) is

acknowledged; however, in the absence of robust published evidence of safety and
efficacy, ivermectin will not be made available for use in the Western Cape public sector
via this Section 21 process. This decision is in alignment with the NEMLC recommendation.
Use of ivermectin will only be considered within the context of a clinical trial at this stage.

4th Floor, 16 Chiappini Street, Cape Town, 8001 P O Box 2060, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: +27 21 483 6198 / +27 21 483 8702 www.westerncape.gov.za
Email: Yasmina.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za or Helen.Hayes@westerncape.gov.za
The NEMLC COVID‐19 sub‐committee monitors emergence of new evidence closely and
rapid reviews are updated when substantive additional evidence becomes available.

The PPTC, similarly, commits to ongoing rapid review of the data as it emerges and will
review this decision should robust data, demonstrating safety and efficacy of ivermectin in
the management of COVID-19, become available.

Your co-operation in this regard is appreciated.

DR K CLOETE
HEAD OF HEALTH: WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT HEALTH
DATE: 8 FEBRUARY 2021

4th Floor, 16 Chiappini Street, Cape Town, 8001 P O Box 2060, Cape Town, 8000
Tel: +27 21 483 6198 / +27 21 483 8702 www.westerncape.gov.za
Email: Yasmina.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za or Helen.Hayes@westerncape.gov.za