Ivermectin COVID Treatment Request To DeSantis Delayed By Board

POLK COUNTY, FL — A letter requesting Gov. Ron DeSantis make Ivermectin — a veterinary de-worming medicine — widely available in Florida was the focus of discussion at Tuesday's Polk County Board of Commissioners' meeting.

Ivermectin overdoses have caused an increase in calls to poison control centers after people who have tested positive for the coronavirus have self-medicated with it after hearing false claims that it is a cure for COVID-19, NPR reported.

Ivermectin is used for treating large animals such as cows and horses for heartworms and external parasites, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

An Ivermectin prescription does exist for humans in smaller doses than those given to animals. A prescription isn't required for the ones designed for animals, NPR reported. This makes it easier for humans to purchase the kind created to treat animals, which can be a lethal dose for humans.

Neil Combee, commissioner for District 5, wrote the letter and read portions of it at the meeting. Combee referred to the request as "Letter to the Governor—Right To Try." A Florida statute titled "Experimental Treatment For Terminal Conditions: Right To Try," was read by Dr. Joy Jackson, director of the Polk County Department of Health, at the board's request.

"This enables those who have a terminal condition as determined by a physician and a second physician can use medications or devices off-label as a life-saving measure," Jackson read. "Again, I'm not the expert, I'm not an attorney."

"But the common language is terminal condition," a board member asked her.

"Yes, sir," she answered.

"If someone comes (into the doctor's office) with COVID, is that considered a terminal condition that would qualify under that definition," he asked.

"As a wide description, I would say, 'No'. I give my opinion. Case fatality rate for COVID is under 2 percent," Jackson said.

Eighty-five percent of people who test positive for COVID-19 experience mild symptoms with some being asymptomatic, according to the doctor.

Jackson and Dr. Daniel Haight from the USF Morsani College of Medicine shared there's no evidence or trials conducted yet that shows Ivermectin treats COVID-19.

All but one resident who attended supported the letter written by Combee seeking use of Ivermectin.

According to the FDA, here's a description of Ivermectin:

• The FDA has not authorized or approved Ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19 in humans or animals. Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
• Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.
• Taking large doses of ivermectin is dangerous.
• If your health care provider writes you an ivermectin prescription, fill it through a legitimate source such as a pharmacy, and take it exactly as prescribed.
• Never use medications intended for animals on yourself or other people. Animal ivermectin products are very different from those approved for humans. Use of animal ivermectin for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in humans is dangerous.

Letter Send-Off To Gov. Impeded

Following comments given by doctors, board members and residents, the board decided to wait on sending the request to DeSantis. A disappointed Combee and his supporters want to rewrite the drafted letter and include a second letter to send. They will present the revision at the next meeting in a couple of weeks when the board members plan to give their approval to the request.