Reality check: There's still no compelling evidence for ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19

Reality check From Federal MP Craig Kelly to tennis champion Pat Cash, ivermectin has attracted attention around the world as a potential treatment for COVID-19. Key points: Ivermectin has shown signs of controlling the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a test tube, but results of trials in humans are yet to show high-quality evidence for effectiveness Ivermectin has shown signs of controlling the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in a test tube, but results of trials in humans are yet to show high-quality evidence for effectiveness The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce does daily searches for new ivermectin studies, but currently recommends ivermectin not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of "randomised trials with appropriate ethical approval" The National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce does daily searches for new ivermectin studies, but currently recommends ivermectin not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of "randomised trials with appropriate ethical approval" Support for the drug follows the political divide in the US, while similarly in Australia it is championed by several right-wing politicians Both Australian and overseas regulators have not approved its use for the coronavirus and warn it may endanger the health of those who take it. The Cochrane reviewers concluded that "based on the current very low- to low-certainty evidence, we are uncertain about the efficacy and safety of ivermectin used to treat or prevent COVID-19". What the health authorities say In light of the current science, the TGA has not approved ivermectin for use to treat or prevent COVID-19, and says more evidence is needed before it "could be considered a safe and effective treatment option". The taskforce, which conducts daily searches to identify relevant high-quality studies, recommends ivermectin not be used to treat COVID-19 outside of "randomised trials with appropriate ethical approval".