Last week, the FDA settled a lawsuit that has garnered significant attention. As part of the settlement, the FDA has agreed to delete and never republish several social media posts that suggested Ivermectin, a drug used by some doctors to treat COVID-19, is only meant for animals and not humans. While the FDA maintains that they were simply “communicating” drug information, this settlement raises questions about the agency's integrity and its handling of public health information.
The controversy surrounding Ivermectin stems from its potential as a treatment for COVID-19. The drug has long been approved for use in both animals and humans. In humans, a topical form of Ivermectin is used to treat lice and rosacea, while a tablet form is used to combat parasites, intestinal strongyloidiasis, and onchocerciasis. Despite its established uses in humans, the FDA's social media posts insinuated that Ivermectin is solely intended for animals.
The FDA's attempt to defend their statements by claiming they never explicitly said Ivermectin couldn't be used by humans seems disingenuous. Ordinary people recognize these misleading statements as blatant lies, regardless of technicalities. The fact that the FDA was forced to retract their lies speaks volumes about the agency's credibility.
Unfortunately, the FDA is not the only government agency that has been caught lying. Over the past four years, not a single government health agency consistently told the truth. The list of falsehoods is extensive and includes claims such as masks not working, social distancing having no effect, Ivermectin being effective while Remdesivir is not, and asymptomatic individuals not transmitting the virus. These misleading statements have had severe consequences, as lives were ruined and lost due to misguided policies and recommendations.
It is time to shift the conversation from whether these agencies lied to why they lied. The magnitude of these lies cannot be understated – they were not small or harmless. Lives were impacted, and people suffered as a result. It is imperative to hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Calls for a Nuremberg 2.0 are growing louder, as people demand justice for the harm caused by these lies.
As we reflect on the FDA's settlement and the broader issue of government agencies misleading the public, it is essential to approach the information we receive with a critical eye. Trust in these institutions has been eroded, and it is up to us to seek out the truth and hold those in power accountable. Only through transparency and honesty can we hope to rebuild trust and ensure that such widespread deception does not happen again.
