Schellack, NataliePadayachee, N.Schellac, G.2022-10-122022-10-122021-03-10Schellack, N., Padayachee, N., Schellac, G. 2021, 'Ivermectin in the treatment of COVID-19— friend or foe?', South African General Practitioner, vol. 88, no. 1, pp. 11-14.2706-9613 (print)2706-9621 (online)https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/87647The global number of deaths due to COVID-19 is almost at the two million mark, with over 35 000 deaths in South Africa. Although there are hopes of a safe and effective vaccination programme, the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the country is putting a significant strain on the healthcare system. Ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug, has been widely published on social media platforms and news outlets as a socalled miracle drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Ivermectin is not registered in SA as a drug for human use, but rather as a veterinary and agricultural product. Currently, from a small number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), there does seem to be a signal of evidence for the use of ivermectin in the management of COVID-19. Pharmacists must, however, remain cognisant of their ethical responsibilities as well as the applicable regulations that prohibit the procurement and dispensing of any unregistered medicine.en© 2021 The Author(s). Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License [CC BY-NC-ND 4.0].AvermectinIvermectinMacrocyclic lactoneEndectocideCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)COVID-19 pandemicSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Article