Last Updated on January 29, 2022 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
Several social media posts are claiming that Mexico is still distributing ivermectin in home COVID-19 care kits. We fact checked and found this claim to be False.
The Claim
“This is the Ivermectin Kit the Mexican Government is giving its Citizens for Free.” claims several social media posts.
The posts can be found here and here and a screenshot is attached below.
Fact Check
What is Ivermectin?
Ivermectin is an approved drug by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for treating parasites in animals and humans and treating head lice and skin conditions like rosacea.
Can Ivermectin be used for treating Covid-19?
Ivermectin has not been approved by the medical authority body for treatment of COVID-19. FDA has repeatedly warned against using it for COVID-19. Currently available data do not show ivermectin is effective against COVID-19. Clinical trials assessing ivermectin tablets for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 in people are ongoing.
Even the Indian Govt had initially included the drug in Covid treatment protocol but later decided to drop it after a revised guideline.
Did Mexico include Ivermectin in the kit?
Yes. The kit which was referred to in social media posts was a part of the COVID-19 response of IMSS, Mexico’s main public health service. Between Dec. 21, 2020 and Dec. 30, 2021, IMSS distributed 465,345 of kits for home treatment for SARS-CoV-2 patients that contained ivermectin.
Is Mexico still including ivermectin in home COVID-19 care kits?
No. Mexico has stopped distributing Ivermectin.
A panel of public health institutions in Mexico, concluded there was no evidence on the efficacy of ivermectin against COVID-19, either by itself or combined with azithromycin.
Starting Jan. 4, 2022, the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) stopped including ivermectin in their home COVID-19 care kits for ambulatory patients. Now, the kit distributed by IMSS contains paracetamol, masks, an oximeter and a flyer with guidance.
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