Maryland Rep. Andy Harris prescribes ivermectin to patient diagnosed with COVID-19

Maryland Rep. Andy Harris prescribes ivermectin to COVID patient

Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, who is a physician, prescribed ivermectin to a patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19, his office confirmed Tuesday night.

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Rep. Harris provided FOX 5 a statement on the matter saying:

"I have prescribed ivermectin as treatment for early COVID. Data from India and elsewhere supports that off-label use. Off-label prescribing is commonly done for many medical illnesses."

Interest in the drug started rising toward the end of last year when studies — some later withdrawn, in other countries — seemed to suggest ivermectin had some potential and it became a hot topic of conversation among conservatives on social media, according to the Associated Press.

CDC continues to urge Americans to get COVID-19 vaccine

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Rep. Harris is Maryland's only Republican representative in Congress.

The FDA has not approved ivermectin for treating COVID-19, but says you should take it as prescribed if your doctor writes you a prescription for the drug.

Its manufacturer, Merck, has said there is no indication the drug is safe or effective against COVID-19.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.