Indonesians Ignore Warnings In Rush To Buy "Miracle Cure" For Covid

Pharmacies across Indonesia are running out of ivermectin, an oral treatment used to treat parasitic infections, thanks in part to viral social media posts touting its potential as a COVID-19 treatment.

Indonesians have ignored health warnings to stock up on a "miracle cure" for COVID-19 backed by leading politicians and social media influencers, as an out-of-control virus surge sweeps the country. Authorities are reporting hundreds of deaths every day as the world's fourth-most populous nation struggles with its worst outbreak since the pandemic began. Pharmacies across the country are running out of ivermectin, an oral treatment normally used to treat lice and other parasitic infections, thanks in part to viral social media posts touting its potential as a coronavirus treatment. "Those who come bring a screenshot showing that ivermectin... could cure Covid," said Yoyon, head of a pharmaceutical sales group at a market in the capital Jakarta, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.