Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is reported to be directing users to an anti-parasitic drug falsely claimed to be a treatment for COVID-19.
Ivermectin is typically used to treat or prevent parasites in animals. In recent weeks, it has become the latest false cure for COVID-19, prompting warnings from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When media sources searched for the term "iv" on Amazon, the website’s auto-complete function suggested a range of ivermectin products, including "ivermectin pills," "ivermectin paste" and "ivermectin injectable."
The auto-complete search results are a sign that enough people have been searching for "ivermectin" that Amazon’s search algorithm was automatically trained to put it at the top of suggested results.
User reviews on some of the products appeared to make reference to false claims that ivermectin is a treatment for COVID-19. One review read, "Yes I used it for that. Two doses, completely gone. This stuff absolutely works. The rumors are true."
On a separate ivermectin listing, one reviewer provided dosing directions and included a link to a website promoting COVID misinformation, including that ivermectin is "safe and effective" for treating COVID-19.
Amazon spokesperson Craig Andrews said in a statement: “Amazon’s autocomplete responses are driven by customer activity. We are blocking certain autocomplete responses to address these concerns.”
A few hours after this story was published, Amazon added a notice to searches for "ivermectin for humans," which notes that the FDA advises against the use of ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19. It instructs users to visit the FDA website for more information.
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