I’m from a different country and I have no idea what is this
In: Biology
Ivermectin is a drug developed in the 70s that is used to treat parasitic infections (such as head lice or various worms). It messes with the nerves of insects and similar parasitic creatures, and is quite common for use both for people and other animals (notably horses, dogs, cows etc.).
Ivermectin has shown some effectiveness in treating some viral infections, and there is very limited evidence that in very high doses (unsafe levels) it may have some effect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the one causing Covid-19). But best evidence at the moment suggests that is as likely to seriously harm the person as it is to stop the virus.
The psychology of conspiracy theories is quite complicated and not fully understood. There seems to be a desire for people to have “simple solutions” – a single drug that can cure things, or for them to have some special knowledge. Combine that with individuals gaining power and money from conspiracy theories, and you have a huge mess.
There is a conspiracy theory (based on some very dodgy if not fraudulent scientific research) that Ivermectin can treat Covid-19 and that authorities are trying to suppress this. Conspiracy theories are rarely consistent (they don’t have to be), so the reason for this varies, but it is usually something to do with the vaccine conspiracy theories. Ivermectin is the latest in a long list of “miracle cures” that conspiracy theorists and extremists (particularly those related to the QAnon cult) have been pushing. You might remember disgraced former US President Trump advocating for the use of bleach and hydroxychloroquine to treat Covid-19 (both of which were really bad ideas).
The Ivermectin conspiracy theory seems to have got out of control (particularly in South Africa) and some countries have buckled to public pressure and allowed it for emergency use in “treating” Covid-19 despite the lack of evidence that it is effective (and the significant evidence that it is dangerous). Czechia, Slovakia, Mexico, and the Philippines have apparently all done this. Peru and India did as well, but have subsequently withdrawn approval.
In the US (with all its existing problems with conspiracy theories and disinformation) the Ivermectin conspiracy seems to have spread quite widely (particularly among anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, and anti-government groups, and followers of the pro-conspiracy Republican Party), and people have been taking it at unsafe doses, including taking the versions designed for cows and other domestic animals, leading to some serious health problems. The US Federal Government issued a statement telling people not to take Ivermectin designed for animals, but this seems to have fuelled the conspiracy.
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