Customers of a B.C. wellness clinic that has promoted ivermectin as a cancer treatment have been warned to “immediately stop” using any products purchased from the business.
Health Canada issued the warning to clients of Ezra Healing on Thursday, one week after inspectors seized thousands of unauthorized health products from the Kelowna clinic.
Some were labelled as containing prescription medications such as hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin and doxycycline, according to the agency. One of the products, called “Testoheal Gel,” was labelled as containing testosterone.
Health Canada warned that testosterone compounds have been linked to “significant health risks, some of which are permanent and even fatal,” with side effects that include heart problems, fluid retention, kidney damage and high blood fat levels.
Ezra Health owner Svetlana Rilkoff previously shared video of the Oct. 30 seizure on social media, characterizing the incident as “stealing” by employees of “(death) Canada.”
“They want to take away all my ivermectin that’s healing cancer and vaccine injuries,” Rilkoff says in the recording. “This is our country. This is the state of our country.”
According to the government’s warning, unauthorized health products are those that haven’t been “assessed for safety, efficacy and quality,” and may pose a range of risks if used.
“They may contain high-risk ingredients, such as prescription or controlled drugs, and additives or contaminants that may or may not be listed on the label,” the warning adds. “The level of active ingredients could be higher or lower than claimed and these ingredients could interact with other medications and foods.”
A Health Canada spokesperson told CTV News staff seized more than 2,500 bottles, blister packs and other packages from Ezra Health following last week’s inspection, which was triggered by allegations that the business was violating the federal Food and Drugs Act.
On Rilkoff’s claims about ivermectin healing cancer, the spokesperson noted the only authorized human use of the drug in Canada is “as a prescription treatment for parasitic worm infections.”
“It is illegal in Canada to sell or advertise a drug in a false, misleading, or deceptive manner,” the spokesperson said in an email. “There are currently no Health Canada approved cancer treatment products that contain ivermectin.”
Claims that ivermectin can treat cancer prompted a public statement from the Canadian Cancer Society earlier this year, which noted such uses are “not scientifically proven.”
The charity called any misinformation that can give false hope to cancer patients and their families “dangerous,” “cruel” and “irresponsible.”
CTV News asked Rilkoff the basis of her claims that ivermectin heals cancer—and that chemotherapy does not—and whether she is concerned about the consequences for her customers if she’s wrong, but did not receive a response.
In a news release issued the day after the seizure, Ezra Healing claimed approximately $200,000 in products had been taken from the business, and warned customers there could be delays in receiving their purchases.
The clinic’s website lists “Vitamin I”—also labelled “iver,” with no further description—at $173 for 100 12-milligram tabs.
Health Canada said other products seized from the business were labelled as containing mebendazole and niclosamide, both of which are also used to treat parasitic worm infections. The latter is not approved for use in either humans or animals in Canada, according to officials.
An online fundraiser has been set up to support Ezra Healing in light of the investigation, with a donation goal of USD$737,000. As of Friday afternoon, USD$986 had been collected.
