JAKARTA : Eight hospitals in Indonesia are set to conduct clinical trials on Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic medicine that has appeared to be a potential Covid-19 medication, following a permit issued by the national agency of drug and food control (BPOM).

BPOM's head Penny K. Lukito said at a press conference on Monday (June 28) that global data and guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that Ivermectin, previously used for deworming, can also be used for Covid-19 treatment. However, data are still being collected and the results are not conclusive.

Clinical trials are expected to be conducted over a period of three months.

Lukito has called on the public not to take this medicine freely considering that Ivermectin must be prescribed by doctors.

  - Xinhua