9. Was Queen Elizabeth II taking ivermectin for her COVID-19 infection? Fake or not?
When the late Queen Elisabeth II tested positive for Covid-19 in 2021, the story also sparked a conspiracy theory, after an editing mistake by an Australian news program appeared to suggest the Queen was being given ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug that has become popular among anti-vaxxers and COVID-19 skeptics. The error occurred when A Current Affair broadcast a report on the Queen’s positive COVID-19 test. The segment featured an interview with Melbourne-based doctor Mukesh Haikerwal, who explained potential treatment options for elderly COVID-19 patients. As Haikerwal spoke, the program showed stock images of drugs, first two vials of the monoclonal antibody Sotrovimab – which has been authorised as a COVID-19 treatment – and then a packet of ivermectin tablets, shown under the brand name Stromectol. But while the mistake was taken down from Nine Network’s official channels, clips featuring the packet of ivermectin spread rapidly on social media.
Dutch fact checkers highlighted the error after the clip was shared by far-right politician Thierry Baudet. One clip from the report posted to Twitter by a right-wing account with a history of misinformation about the pandemic had been watched 1.7 million times at the time of writing.
A number of Australia’s COVID-19-sceptic politicians also shared the footage, with multiple elected representatives of the conservative Liberal-National governing coalition posting it on social media. Queensland politician Gerard Rennick used the error to claim ivermectin was being used in Australia, despite the drug being prohibited for use in COVID treatment.
HOW CAN WE VERIFY THIS?
The Nine Network’s A Current Affair program quickly apologised for the mistake and re-edited the segment on the Queen’s COVID-19 diagnosis, saying “we do not suggest the Queen is using ivermectin”. Buckingham Palace did not comment on the specific details of the Queen’s treatment, but the drug is not approved for use as a COVID-19 treatment in the United Kingdom, where she lived. Day after, the program apologised for the mistake, blaming “human error” for the “accidental” inclusion of a shot of ivermectin. “As a program, we’ve done numerous stories highlighting the concerns around taking ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19,” it said in a statement.
Ivermectin is a drug typically used to treat parasites in animals like cows, horses and dogs. It is not authorised for use against COVID-19 in the European Union and is not effective against the virus in its current form, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said. While the drug is used in humans, it is only approved by medical regulators as a treatment for ailments including onchocerciasis (river blindness), intestinal strongyloidiasis (an illness caused by roundworms), head lice and rosacea.
WHAT ARE OTHER SOURCES SAYING?
“Laboratory studies found that ivermectin could block replication of SARS-CoV-2, but at much higher concentrations than those achieved with the currently authorised doses,” the EMA said.
“Results from clinical studies were varied, with some studies showing no benefit and others reporting a potential benefit.” The agency warned that the toxic side effects of ivermectin could also increase with the doses needed to be effective against the coronavirus.
“Further well-designed, randomised studies are needed to draw conclusions as to whether the product is effective and safe in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.” The EMA added that they have not received any formal application by EU member states to use ivermectin during the pandemic, although the Czech Republic and Slovakia have allowed its temporary use in trials.
The Food and Drug Administration in the United States has also warned against people taking the veterinary version of ivermectin. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has also reiterated that the drug should only be used to treat parasitic worms.
Information from Facebook’s open “Ad Library” shows that the company was showing users paid adverts that promote Ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19. While Ivermectin is used to treat some conditions in humans, the drug is not licensed or approved for use in treating COVID-19. Euronews Next also found evidence of closed Facebook groups that offer advice on sourcing and using Ivermectin, as well as examples of it being offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace and within Facebook groups. The same goes for Viber and Telegram groups.
FAKE OR NOT?
This piece of news seems to be fake, despite claims otherwise on social media, the appearance of Stromectol in the clip is not proof
