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Deworming agent: Usually used against parasites
Photo: Ted S. Warren / AP
The corona crisis has already produced some consumption phenomena and strange crisis winners: the manufacturers of toilet paper, for example, wood manufacturers (because many people buy furniture) or chip manufacturers.
In Austria, the manufacturer of a worming agent is now joining the ranks of profiteers, but the background is serious: the drug ivermectin is out of stock in many pharmacies in the country. It has actually been used for a long time against parasites, such as the scabies mites that cause scabies.
The rush for the worming agent is related to the current corona wave in Austria, more precisely: with a very prominent corona patient.
Herbert Kickl, head of the right-wing FPÖ party, is sick with Covid-19.
Like the AfD in Germany, the FPÖ in Austria has opposed government measures to combat the corona pandemic and is fueling doubts about the vaccinations against the virus.
Kickl had therefore presented a »Plan B« against the virus at the beginning of November - even before he became ill.
Instead of vaccinations, it is better to use ivermectin, the worming agent.
Incorrect dosage can be toxic
This brings back memories of Donald Trump: In the USA, the then President in 2020 propagated the prophylactic use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine against corona.
The preparation can cause poisoning if the dosage is incorrect.
Kickl's "recommendation" has a (tiny) real core: In laboratory tests, the administration of ivermectin sometimes lowered the virus concentration, at least in cells in test tubes.
The problem: In order to achieve an effect in humans, patients would have to take a very high dosage of the preparation.
The Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Healthcare therefore published a warning in the spring that it could not be ruled out that such a dosage would be toxic.
The authority urgently advises against self-medication with the agent.
According to the Upper Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists, there has actually been poisoning with the drug.
"Many people take the drug completely wrong," warns Chamber Chief Thomas Veitschegger.
You would take "the much higher dose that is actually intended for horses."
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