A resident in Kuala Lumpur receives food from a delivery rider through barbwire. Photo: Vincent Thian / AP
As in other parts of the world, ivermectin has been hailed as a miracle treatment for COVID-19 in many Asian countries like India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. It comes as the region faces its worst COVID-19 waves so far amid alarming record rises in infections and slow vaccination rates.Interest in the drug, which has different versions approved for human and animal use, has now reached Malaysia. Calls for ivermectin to be approved for COVID-19 treatment come at a time when public trust in the government’s handling of the pandemic remains frail and shaky, and hospitals are overwhelmed.“You can get it easier than a vaccine.”
Health workers during a burial of COVID-19 victims in Klang, Malaysia. Photo: Zahim Mohd / AP
“Because COVID-19 is looked at as being ‘parasitic’ and ivermectin is traditionally used in veterinary medicine to treat parasites, I suspect that the public assumes it would work the same for humans.”
But the easiest and possibly most accessible way of buying the drug was still online, where advocacy by religious conspiracists, as well as those on the dark web, have taken on new vigour. Saloma, like many Malaysians, turned to e-commerce platforms Shopee and Lazada. The popular sites sell everything and anything, from cookware to furniture, pet supplies, clothes, toiletries, toys and medicine. Listings by personal vendors selling the pills were going for as cheap as $10 for a strip, and $70 for a box.“Those who come forward to buy ivermectin do so because they are unable and aren’t eligible to receive vaccines. A lot of them are also elderly.”
A healthcare worker administers a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during a mobile vaccination drive in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Mohd Firdaus / AP

