Straight Talk on COVID-19 Farses

Volume 11, Issue 3

It’s been nearly 2 years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and the United States of America is fighting 2 wars. The first is the admirable fight being waged by health care providers and scientists, who are struggling to stem the surge of death and misery brought by yet another tidal wave of infected patients. The other is a civil war, one in which those same beleaguered health care heroes and scientists are forced to battle against conspiracy theories surrounding purported “miracle cures” for COVID-19.

In this week’s issue of Talking Therapeutics, it’s time for some #realtalk for my pharmacy audience about how to get involved in the fight and protect our patients from spurious medical practices. 

Point 1: The Number Should Be Zero

A new study published in JAMA this week evaluated the cost to the US health care system for ivermectin, a drug which has been widely touted by anti-vaxxers. Despite numerous clinical trials proving the drug ineffective for COVID-19 infection, and the FDA issuing a warning to consumers to not ingest a veterinary anti-worming drug in lieu of receiving a scientifically proven vaccine, this new JAMA study found that roughly 88,000 ivermectin prescriptions were filled in only one week’s time in August of last year. This translates into an immense cost to the American health care system; in fact, according to these estimates, commercial and Medicare Advantage insurers are spending an estimated $129.7 million annually. That’s more than the estimated annual Medicare spending on unnecessary imaging for low back pain.

The number of prescriptions should be zero. 

Not 100. Not 10. Not 1. Zero.

No pharmacist should ever dispense a prescription for ivermectin to treat COVID-19. This JAMA study highlights a terrible tragedy in our health care system, one in which patients are being prescribed ineffective therapies, often instead of getting vaccinated or in place of effective therapies like nirmatrelvir/ritonavir and molnupiravir. We, as pharmacists, are entrusted with the public’s health, and this JAMA paper should serve as a wakeup call to every pharmacist reading this column that there is a very big problem with overprescription of ineffective therapies for COVID-19. 

Point 2: Addressing the Source of the Problem

Unfortunately, there are several very loud voices on common social media platforms who are driving the use of ivermectin for COVID-19. For example, one physician has gained significant notoriety for propping up false claims about the benefits of ivermectin. Perhaps even more alarming are their tweets, whereby they regale their audience with stories of verbally abusing, intimidating, and threatening pharmacists with lawsuits if they refuse to fill their ivermectin prescriptions.

This person is not only a threat to patients by providing ineffective therapies, but they are also directly damaging the reputation of the profession of pharmacy. I would encourage all readers to be vigilant to discourage the sharing of misinformation and promote resources that are scientifically accurate. Only if we all stand up together can we help to stem the tide of COVID-19 misinformation.