Canadian Group Calls for Off-Label Use of Early Treatment Drugs with Informed Consent
A new Canadian group, the Canadian Covid Care Alliance, has issued an information package for doctors and patients, geared at facilitating the off-label prescription of early treatment drugs for COVID-19.
New: Listen to our podcast episode about informed consent!
This call is made despite guidelines, at the federal and provincial levels, recommending against most forms of early treatment of the disease.
“Health Canada, and the provincial Colleges of Physicians, do not prohibit physicians from prescribing any medications that are “off-label”. Many physicians fear that prescribing ivermectin or any medication for COVID-19 is not permitted. We would like to assure you that this is not the case. Informed consent is the process by which physicians may prescribe any medication deemed appropriate. To assist you with that, we have provided a sample “Informed Consent” form that you may use or modify as per your discretion.”
After reviewing how Ivermectin can be used in early treatment protocols, the letter addressed to doctors comments on the question of drug availability and on safety.
“Ivermectin can be obtained from some compounding pharmacies. The branded version of ivermectin (StromectolTM) is on long- term backorder in Canada. Thus, most pharmacies will not have supply. If you do not know of a local compounding pharmacy, contact the Canadian Covid Care Alliance (physicians@canadiancovidcarealliance.org) and we may be able to assist you. …”
“Ivermectin has an exceptional safety profile, being used for approximately 40 years in billions of patients. It is on the list of essential medicines by the World Health Organization. Physicians who have been treating COVID-19 patients with early therapies can all attest to its efficacy and safety, with dramatic reductions in hospitalizations. We feel that all primary care physicians should feel comfortable treating their patients early. Recovered patients are grateful patients.”
There are two consent forms included, one for Ivermectin and one for Fluvoxamine.
Both consent forms include the following introductory paragraphs:
“In Canada, there are currently no recognized standard outpatient therapies for persons infected by SARS-CoV-2 virus causing COVID-19 disease. The current standard of outpatient care is supportive: i.e., stay home and isolate, drink fluids, take acetaminophen for fever. Should one’s condition progress with worsening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, then one should go to the hospital.”
“There are numerous studies suggesting benefit with the use of certain medications that have been on the market for many years, but do not have an official indication for COVID-19 disease.”
After providing info on the drugs, including potential side effects, the proposed consent forms conclude:
“Because use of ivermectin(/fluvoxamine) is “off-label”, meaning Health Canada does not officially recognize the use of this medication for the treatment of COVID-19, signed written consent is required before taking this medication. Your signed consent indicates that you understand you are taking the medication “off-label” for COVID-19, and that beneficial results are not guaranteed.”
Find the letter and consent forms at this link
Usually, it’s recognized that there are 4 principles of informed consent:
- You must have the capacity (or ability) to make the decision.
- The medical provider must disclose information on the treatment, test, or procedure in question, including the expected benefits and risks, and the likelihood (or probability) that the benefits and risks will occur.
- You must comprehend the relevant information.
- You must voluntarily grant consent, without coercion or duress.
It must be noted that the Canadian authorities, at federal and provincial level, have a very negative take on early treatment drugs. This is reflected in this June 15 2021 presentation by the “Science Table COVID-19 Advisory for Ontario” which recommends against the use of Vitamin D, Ivermectin, etc.
The same “Science Table” recommends the use of remdesivir, well-proven NOT to reduce mortality and even recommended against by the WHO.
