Covid-19 Qld: George Christensen slammed over ivermectin post

Queensland’s Deputy Premier has fired off a sharp retort to federal MP who made a Facebook post spruiking an unproven Covid treatment.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles has fired off a sharp retort to federal MP George Christensen, who continues to spruik the benefits of an unproven and potentially dangerous treatment for Covid-19.

While not mentioning the drug by name, the LNP member for Dawson shared a picture of pills alluding to be ivermectin and encouraged supporters to stock up before the medical regulator pulled it from the shelves.

The drug has long been used to treat parasitic infections but is not approved for use against Covid, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently issuing a warning urging Australians to not use it as a treatment for the virus.

Last week they banned GPs from prescribing it from Covid after an increase in scripts being handed out.

“I’m glad I got my hands on this medicine before the TGA banned it,” Mr Christensen posted to Facebook on Sunday.

“It was prescribed to me, in safe doses, by a qualified doctor despite the media and the so-called experts claiming it’s not safe and only meant for horses.

“We have entered such a crazy world I’m not sure that Facebook will allow this post to remain up if I name the medicine.”

Mr Miles shared an image of the post on Monday along with a sharp rebuke of the content.

“George — you are not a horse,” he said.

George - You are not a horse.

Posted by Steven Miles on Sunday, September 12, 2021

Later on Monday morning, Mr Christensen fired back at the Queensland deputy premier with a pun-filled post accompanied with a photo of Mr Miles near a horse.

“Quit being a neigh-sayer and have a read about this ‘wonder drug,” he posted.

WHAT IS IVERMECTIN?

Ivermectin is not new – the medicine has long been used to treat parasitic infections.

Two types of the medication exist – one to treat conditions in humans and another for animals.

It was first discovered in 1975 and came into medical use in 1981. It was approved for human use in 1988.

In 2015, half of that year’s Nobel prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded jointly to ivermectin’s discoverers, Satoshi Ōmura of Kitasato University and William Campbell of Mercy.

Steven Miles politely reminded the federal MP he was not a horse. NCA NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

WHAT IS IVERMECTIN USED FOR?

Ivermectin is commonly used by veterinarians and animal lovers to deworm domestic animals and cattle.

In humans, it exists in tablet form and has been widely used in Africa to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis – also known as river blindness – which are conditions caused by parasitic worms.

Topical formulations are also used to combat head lice and skin conditions such as rosacea.

However, ivermectin is not an antiviral, which means there is no evidence it can be used to treat viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease known as Covid-19.

When the medication is taken as intended it is low risk – however, when taken in large doses it can cause serious side effects.

IS IVERMECTIN AVAILABLE IN AUSTRALIA?

Ivermectin is available in Australia and can be bought over the counter with a prescription.

However, the drug has not been approved for use against Covid-19, and doctors will only prescribe the medicine to treat other infections it has been proven to work against.

Ivermectin imports into Australia have spiked in recent months, prompting a warning from the TGA.

“Ivermectin is a prescription medicine that is not approved in Australia (or in other OECD countries) to prevent or treat Covid-19 disease and should not be imported for this indication,” the regulator warned last week.

“The TGA strongly discourages self-medication and self-dosing with ivermectin for Covid-19, as it may be dangerous to your health. There is insufficient evidence to validate the use of ivermectin in patients with Covid-19.”

– with Natalie Wolfe