The Government is considering and has promised to give its view on the incorporation of the drug Ivermectin in the protocols for the management of COVID-19 cases in the coming days.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, in an interview on Nationwide News Network Friday, acknowledged the endorsement of the drug by the Medical Association of Jamaica (MAJ) and the support of that endorsement by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) earlier in the day.

He noted that, while there has been growing support for the anti-parasitic drug worldwide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not come to a definitive view.

On Friday, the PSOJ called for the Government, and particularly the Ministry of Health and Wellness, “to urgently move to import supplies of the drug into the country and to authorise its use at the discretion of qualified physicians, for prophylaxis and early therapy to reduce hospitalisation, severe disease and death”.

Said the PSOJ: “In light of the drastic increase in COVID-19 cases and strain on the health care system, the announcement of the donation of 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine by the Indian High Commission has been made at a critical time in our national response.

“Notwithstanding this donation, the PSOJ remains extremely concerned about the number of hospital admissions and the increase in the number of deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The PSOJ said its support of the MAJ’s position on Invermectin came as the nation’s hospitals were close to full capacity and national resources, particularly human resources, were extremely constrained.

“All interventions that can be employed to save the lives of Jamaicans must be urgently evaluated and implemented,” the PSOJ said while also reiterating calls for Jamaicans to continue to observe the COVID-19 infection control protocols including wearing of masks, frequent hand washing and sanitising and physical distancing when in public spaces.

“We are also recommending that persons get vaccinated when the COVID-19 vaccines become available.”