Ivermectin, the cheap drug that’s believed to be effective in curing patients with Covid-19, has been making waves in South Africa since late last year – from being banned outright and black market sales to court fights and partial approval for the use of the drug under specific circumstances.
Several months on, the University of Oxford announced today it is testing the anti-parasitic drug as a possible treatment for Covid-19 as part of a British government-backed study that aims to aid recoveries in non-hospital settings.
Reuters reports the university said ivermectin resulted in a reduction of virus replication in laboratory studies, and a small pilot showed giving the drug early could reduce viral load and the duration of symptoms in some patients with mild virus symptoms.
And in yet another bombshell day of testimony at the Zondo Commission yesterday, it was revealed that money from the Gupta enterprise paid Jacob Zuma’s Arms Deal legal fees – even while the state was ostensibly footing the legal bill. It has also emerged that the Guptas made use of an international money laundering framework used to finance terrorism and drug cartels.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting headlines:
SA Business
WATCH | Covid-19 vaccines and severe side-effects: These numbers will help you keep calm – Health24
Here’s how to get on to the shelves in Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Massmart and Food Lover’s stores – Business Insider
US inflation is a worry; we are directly affected – TreasuryONE’s Andre Cilliers – BizNews
Global Business
Trump’s tariffs led to billions of losses, Fed research shows – Bloomberg
Microsoft rises to join Apple in exclusive $2 trillion club – Bloomberg
Eight million households face foreclosure or eviction – Forbes
In-depth
We studied why South Africans vote the way they do. This is what we found – The Conversation
Local government failures: Another year, another inspection, another bad outcome — with a few exceptions – Daily Maverick
Five years on, Brexit bedevils pandemic-hit UK – AFP
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