On Feb. 4, 2021, Merck affirmed its position regarding use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic, and do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information.

Ivermectin is approved in the United States under the brand name STROMECTOL. STROMECTOL is indicated for the treatment of intestinal (i.e., nondisseminated) strongyloidiasis due to the nematode parasite Strongyloides stercoralis and for the treatment of onchocerciasis due to the nematode parasite Onchocerca volvulus.

The company’s analysis identified no meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and reported a concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies reported to date.