Meta-analytic magic, ivermectin, and socially responsible reporting

Parrish, Andrew; Blockman, Marc; Cohen, Karen; Dawood, Halima; Waal, Reneé de; Gray, Andrew L.; Kredo, Tamara; Leong, Trudy; Nel, Jeremy; Rees, Helen; Reubenson, Gary

doi:10.7196/samj.2021.v111i10.16021

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In addition, we will continue to research and monitor utilisation patterns for re-purposed medicines among community pharmacies across South Africa and wider, building on previous research [11,30,31,74,83]. Such activities should further guide policy in this complex area including encouraging more teaching and emphasis on evidence-based medicine approaches in the curricula of healthcare universities and post qualification [84].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Social Media and COVID-19—Perceptions and Public Deceptions of Ivermectin, Colchicine and Hydroxychloroquine: Lessons for Future Pandemics

et al. 2022

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The capacity for social media to influence the utilization of re-purposed medicines to manage COVID-19, despite limited availability of safety and efficacy data, is a cause for concern within health care systems. This study sought to ascertain links between social media reports and utilization for three re-purposed medicines: hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), ivermectin and colchicine. A combined retrospective analysis of social media posts for these three re-purposed medicines was undertaken, along with utilization and clinical trials data, in South Africa, between January 2020 and June 2021. In total, 77,257 posts were collected across key social media platforms, of which 6884 were relevant. Ivermectin had the highest number of posts (55%) followed by HCQ (44%). The spike in ivermectin use was closely correlated to social media posts. Similarly, regarding chloroquine (as HCQ is not available in South Africa), social media interest was enhanced by local politicians. Sentiment analysis revealed that posts regarding the effectiveness of these repurposed medicines were positive. This was different for colchicine, which contributed only a small number of mentions (1%). Of concern is that the majority of reporters in social media (85%) were unidentifiable. This study provides evidence of social media as a driver of re-purposed medicines. Healthcare professionals have a key role in providing evidence-based advice especially with unidentifiable posts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Social Media and COVID-19—Perceptions and Public Deceptions of Ivermectin, Colchicine and Hydroxychloroquine: Lessons for Future Pandemics

et al. 2022

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“…This is a concern, as their overuse, particularly of “Watch” antibiotics, will increase AMR rates, and the associated impact on morbidity, which is already a key issue in Pakistan [ 59 , 76 , 77 , 80 , 118 , 119 , 120 ]. There are also concerns with self-medication with ivermectin in view of its lack of effectiveness in these patients coupled with concerns with side-effects [ 42 , 121 , 122 , 123 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Self-Medication Including Antibiotics among Health Care Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan: Findings and Implications

et al. 2023

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Since the emergence of COVID-19, several different medicines including antimicrobials have been administered to patients to treat COVID-19. This is despite limited evidence of the effectiveness of many of these, fueled by misinformation. These utilization patterns have resulted in concerns for patients’ safety and a rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Healthcare workers (HCWs) were required to serve in high-risk areas throughout the pandemic. Consequently, they may be inclined towards self-medication. However, they have a responsibility to ensure any medicines recommended or prescribed for the management of patients with COVID-19 are evidence-based. However, this is not always the case. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs in six districts of the Punjab to assess their knowledge, attitude and practices of self-medication during the ongoing pandemic. This included HCWs working a range of public sector hospitals in the Punjab Province. A total of 1173 HCWs were included in the final analysis. The majority of HCWs possessed good knowledge regarding self-medication and good attitudes. However, 60% were practicing self-medication amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The most frequent medicines consumed by the HCWs under self-medication were antipyretics (100%), antibiotics (80.4%) and vitamins (59.9%). Azithromycin was the most commonly purchase antibiotic (35.1%). In conclusion, HCWs possess good knowledge of, and attitude regarding, medicines they purchased. However, there are concerns that high rates of purchasing antibiotics, especially “Watch” antibiotics, for self-medication may enhance AMR. This needs addressing.

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“…Members of this MAC also evaluated controversial subjects, such as the role of ivermectin in preventing and treating COVID-19. 18 However, no publicly accessible repository of advisories from the MAC on Social Behaviour Change was developed.…”

Section: Advisory Outputsmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Following the science’: the role of an independent advisory structure in the COVID-19 pandemic response and beyond

Gray,

Miot,

Mokgatle

et al. 2023

South African Health Review

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Background As the COVID-19 pandemic spread in 2020, many governments across the globe put structures in place to access rapid independent scientific evidence. The South African Minister of Health established an advisory committee in March 2020 to provide high-level strategic advice. This technical guidance, developed as topic-specific ‘advisories’, was expected to be context-specific and based on the best available evidence, locally and internationally. The authors developing the advisories could draw on systems-wide, multidisciplinary experience. Approach This chapter provides a reflective experience of the process of preparing advisories, the development of rapid evidence syntheses and their use in decision-making, the outputs and the lessons learned from that process, and the structural and operational changes over the course of the pandemic. As South Africa has moved out of the acute phase of the pandemic, the lessons learned must be embraced and best practices adopted to inform future pandemic preparedness. Advisories needed to use the best available evidence rather than wait for the best possible evidence. Some advisories were therefore revised multiple times, as new evidence emerged. Advisories were submitted to the Minister of Health for consideration prior to public release. However, in some cases, delays in such release led to confusion as to the scientific basis of policy decisions. The confidentiality of the committee debates also needed to be balanced against the need for engagement with the public. In order to promote accountability and build public trust, from March 2022 all advisories were published on a dedicated website within seven days of receipt by the Minister. The public were thus informed of the scientific basis of the advice, providing important context for subsequent executive decisions. Consistent feedback to the committee from decision-makers was also important, as their advice was only one of many inputs considered by a complex array of government bodies, across different departments. Conclusions The world faces a significant risk of further pandemics and other public health emergencies and is engaged in high-level negotiations on strengthening global capacity to respond. Whether that involves a global pandemic accord, strengthened International Health Regulations, or a strengthened global approach to medical countermeasures, rapid, credible, independent and country-specific scientific advice will remain essential. The lessons learned during COVID-19 should not be lost. Submitted on behalf of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on COVID-19.

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Meta-analytic magic, ivermectin, and socially responsible reporting

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Social Media and COVID-19—Perceptions and Public Deceptions of Ivermectin, Colchicine and Hydroxychloroquine: Lessons for Future Pandemics

Social Media and COVID-19—Perceptions and Public Deceptions of Ivermectin, Colchicine and Hydroxychloroquine: Lessons for Future Pandemics

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Self-Medication Including Antibiotics among Health Care Professionals during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan: Findings and Implications

‘Following the science’: the role of an independent advisory structure in the COVID-19 pandemic response and beyond

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