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24 January 2021
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Story Lacea Loader
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
Nguni cattle project
2006-07-11
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) signed an agreement regarding a Nguni cattle project with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Northern Cape Department of Land Agricultural and Land Reform in Kimberley. With this flagship project farmers will be assisted technically to change community farmers into accredited breeders of stud quality Nguni cattle. The UFS will be involved with the implementation and monitoring of the project, as well as research, training of livestock managers and the marketing of the project.
Attending the signing ceremony were from the left: Dr Michael Hendricks (Director-General: Northern Cape), Prof Herman van Schalkwyk (Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the UFS), Mr Mvuleni Qhena (Chief Executive Officer of the IDC), Ms Tina Joemat-Pettersson (Minister of Agriculture and Land Reform in the Northern Cape) and Mr Kagisho Molusi (Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture in the Northern Cape).