The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority says three clinical trials on the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment in South Africa may start soon.
The Authority addressed Parliament's Health portfolio committee on the Ivermectin issue, as well as the country's vaccine rollout.
The High Court in Pretoria has ruled in favour of an urgent court application, granting medical practitioners the right to prescribe the drug to patients.
Efficacy trials putting Ivermectin's COVID-19 benefits to the test are expected to start soon.
The Authority’s CEO, Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela, says that clinical trials from the universities of the Free State, Stellenbosch and Wits are expected to shed light on the drug's benefits.
Professor Helen Rees says they have allowed the controlled, off label use of Ivermectin while waiting for more data on the drug's reported potency to treat COVID-19.
The regulator had by Wednesday received at least 34 Section 21 applications for Ivermectin use.