The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) have today published advice to the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) that there is insufficient evidence for any interventions, other than vaccines, to prevent Covid-19
They examined 46 cohort studies which focused on modifiable health-related risk factors.
While there are mixed results reported, in general maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, exercising often, being Vitamin D sufficient and moderating alcohol consumption, have beneficial effects on general health and may reduce the risk of poor outcomes from Covid-19.
Interventions considered included drug (excluding vaccines) and non-drug interventions.
They found that there was a lack of high quality evidence to suggest that any of the examined interventions were effective at reducing the risk of Covid-19.
Hiqa identified five relevant controlled drug trials, four of which considered ivermectin and one which considered bamlanivimab.
They found insufficient evidence on whether ivermectin (conventionally used to treat parasitic worm infestations) or bamlanivimab (an immune therapy) can be safely used to prevent or reduce the severity of Covid-19,
Clinical trials
It therefore has advised these drugs should not be used outside well-designed, regulated clinical trials.
The European Medical Agency (EMA) has strongly advised against the use of ivermectin to prevent or treat Covid.
While bamlanivimab has been approved by the EMA for emergency use in treating patients with severe COVID-19 disease, it is not approved to prevent COVID-19.
Dr Máirín Ryan, Hiqa’s Deputy chief executive and director of Health Technology Assessment, said: “There are potential risks associated with all interventions and anything recommended to the Irish public, will require robust assessment to ensure that it is safe as well as being effective.
“This is important given the serious risk of harm associated with unproven interventions.
“While we examined 51 studies, we identified a further 60 trials which are planned or ongoing.”
They said their review did not specifically look at Covid-19 vaccines, however, there are large high quality controlled trials as well as population-level data to show that they are effective in preventing serious disease.
They are encouraging anyone who has the opportunity to avail of the vaccine to do so, as it continues to be the most effective safeguard against serious illness due to the virus.
