The Lagos government says it will stockpile and deploy Ivermectin drug in a short clinical trial to ascertain its efficacy to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this in a statement, highlighting the update on the management of COVID-19 in the state on Sunday.

Though not yet approved for the comprehensive treatment of COVID-19, the governor explained that his administration was aware of claims that Ivermectin, had shown some efficacy in acting as sustained prophylaxis in containing/inhibiting the causative virus in SARS-CoV-2.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu said, “While this medication has not yet been approved for the broad treatment of the coronavirus disease, the state government has, however, taken the step to ensuring we have adequate stocks of Ivermectin.

“This will be initially deployed in a short clinical trial to ascertain its efficiency in our population to prevent and treat COVID-19 infection.”

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is the epicentre of the pandemic with over 22,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of January 31, 685 new confirmed cases and eight deaths were recorded in the country. The cases were reported from 16 states with Lagos having the lion’s share of 355.

(NAN)