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24 January 2021 | Story Lacea Loader
Ivermectin

FARMOVS, a wholly owned clinical research company of the University of the Free State (UFS), together with several medical and scientific experts at the university, is currently in the process of preparing a clinical trial protocol to determine the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19 in a randomised, controlled study according to the requirements of the legal professions, in order to submit it for approval to the relevant national regulatory authority.

FARMOVS is a South African specialty full-service clinical research organisation conducting ICH-GCP-compliant Phase I to IV clinical trials. FARMOVS’ competitive advantage is its wealth of bioequivalence and Phase I experience and expertise, patient recruitment success, and a clinical research facility with the only onsite ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certified bioanalytical laboratory on the African continent.

By participating in the preparation of the clinical trial protocol, FARMOVS and the UFS remain supportive of and committed to contributing to the development of treatments and treatment strategies to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Should the clinical trial protocol be approved by the relevant national regulatory authority, the UFS will be the first university in South Africa to attempt such a study.

The university management is aware of a WhatsApp voice clip being circulated, in which reference is made to a particular meeting, and mention is made of the role the institution is playing in establishing the efficacy of Ivermectin for COVID-19. The voice clip is premature and was shared with a small group, from where it went viral. The voice clip is also not factual – specifically regarding the university and its alleged opinion pertaining to the usage and need for scientific investigation into the matter.  

The UFS is committed to rigorous science and evidence-based research, and both FARMOVS and the university fully support the published opinions and guidelines of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and the scientific advisory boards established by the scientific community, as well as the stance of the South African government on Ivermectin for COVID-19.

Released by:
Lacea Loader (Director: Communication and Marketing)
Telephone: +27 51 401 2584 | +27 83 645 2454
Email: news@ufs.ac.za | loaderl@ufs.ac.za

News Archive

R8,2-million boost for UFS Qwaqwa campus
2005-01-21

The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has approved an allocation of R6,8-mililon for upgrading of residences and R1,4-million for other upgrading of the UFS Qwaqwa campus.

According to the Head of the Qwaqwa campus, Prof Peter Mbati, the management also decided that a maintenance manager should be appointed, who will be responsible for dealing with routine maintenance on the Qwaqwa campus.

Prof Mbati said these developments were a major step forward for the Qwaqwa campus as it once again showed management’s commitment to the campus which was incorporated into the UFS in January 2003.

“We can systematically begin to tackle the huge backlog of needs – in terms of maintenance and upgrading – that has built up over many years.

“The new maintenance manager – once appointed – will also ensure that we shorten the turn-around time for addressing routine maintenance issues and in this way improve service delivery on this campus.

“This is not just a financial boost for the campus but I view it as a major boost for staff and student morale. With this commitment from management, staff and students should also commit themselves to the future of this campus,” Prof Mbati said.

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