Here is a long fascinating article (2011) link on the discovery, development and uses of Ivermectin before Covid: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3043740/ as well as several selected quotes from this link.
“There are few drugs that can seriously lay claim to the title of ‘Wonder drug’, penicillin and aspirin being two that have perhaps had greatest beneficial impact on the health and wellbeing of Mankind. But ivermectin can also be considered alongside those worthy contenders, based on its versatility, safety and the beneficial impact that it has had, and continues to have, worldwide—especially on hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest people. Several extensive reports, including reviews authored by us, have been published detailing the events behind the discovery, development and commercialization of the avermectins and ivermectin (22,23-dihydroavermectin B), as well as the donation of ivermectin and its use in combating Onchocerciasis [river blindness] and lymphatic filariasis.1–6)[Elephantiasis] However, none have concentrated in detail on the interacting sequence of events involved in the passage of the drug into human use.”
“Ivermectin proved to be even more of a ‘Wonder drug’ in human health, improving the nutrition, general health and wellbeing of billions of people worldwide ever since it was first used to treat Onchocerciasis in humans in 1988. It proved ideal in many ways, being highly effective and broad-spectrum, safe, well tolerated and could be easily administered (a single, annual oral dose). It is used to treat a variety of internal nematode infections, including Onchocerciasis, Strongyloidiasis, Ascariasis, cutaneous larva migrans, filariases, Gnathostomiasis and Trichuriasis, as well as for oral treatment of ectoparasitic infections, such as Pediculosis (lice infestation) and scabies (mite infestation).14)”
My family suffered a year from scabies infestation 40 years ago when a friend came back from Russia and gave us a hug. “From Russia With Love” GRRRRR. Our children caught it from my husband and me, and while we adults soon got rid of it with then used topical medicine, and much hot laundry treatments, they would find a forgotten shirt or jacket behind a couch or under a bed and reinfect themselves. Oh to have had Ivermectin then.
“Ivermectin has continually proved to be astonishingly safe for human use. Indeed, it is such a safe drug, with minimal side effects, that it can be administered by non-medical staff and even illiterate individuals in remote rural communities, provided that they have had some very basic, appropriate training. This fact has helped contribute to the unsurpassed beneficial impact that the drug has had on human health and welfare around the globe, especially with regard to the campaign to fight Onchocerciasis.57)”
I wonder if the use of Ivermectin throughout the underdeveloped world and especially Africa is one reason that the Covid rate in Africa appears quite low? I wonder if it is used a lot more than HCQ, the malaria drug?
I suspect that is part of the reason at least.