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Prices jump for unproven COVID-19 drug Ivermectin
Ivermectin, known best as a treatment for ringworm, has doubled in price after some public figures made unverified claims about its effectiveness at treating COVID-19.
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Ivermectin, known best as a treatment for ringworm, has doubled in price after some public figures made unverified claims about its effectiveness at treating COVID-19. (SOEs Ministry/Dhika Permana)
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vermectin prices have doubled over the past few days after public officials claimed that the ringworm drug could treat COVID-19, an assertion that has been refuted by medical experts and the World Health Organization (WHO).
At Pasar Pramuka, a market for medical goods in Jakarta, generic Ivermectin prices were between Rp 300,000 (US$20.72) and Rp 350,000 per 20-tablet bottle in June, twice the government-set price of Rp 157,700 per bottle, including tax.
On e-marketplaces Tokopedia and Shopee, Ivermax 12, a brand-name version of Ivermectin, was selling for up to Rp 600,000 per 10 tablet strip as of June 30, twice the usual price of Rp 265,000 per strip. Ivermax 12 is not subject to government price regulations.
“Since public interest in it is so high, the supply of drugs is running out, so the prices started to rise,” Pasar Pramuka Pharmacies Association chair Yoyon told The Jakarta Post on Monday.
Demand for unproven COVID-19 “cures”, including ginger and herbal drinks, has surged over the past two months as the country grapples with a second COVID-19 wave that has paralyzed healthcare systems across Java.
Ivermectin is used to treat ringworm and has not been proven as a COVID-19 treatment, but public endorsements, coupled with the second virus wave, have caused prices to rise to such an extent that the Health Ministry capped the price of generic Ivermectin at Rp 7,500 per tablet.
Yoyon said the association had instructed members to sell Ivermectin at reasonable prices and to limit sales to 1 bottle per shopper to prevent speculative hoarding.
