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Background: There has been a growing interest in ivermectin ever since it was reported to have an in-vitro activity against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This trial was conducted to test the efficacy of ivermectin in mild and moderate coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Methods: A double blind, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled trial conducted among adult COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate disease severity on admission in a COVID dedicated tertiary healthcare of eastern India. Enrolment was done between 1st August and 31st October 2020.  On day 1 and 2 post enrolment, patients in the intervention arm received ivermectin 12 mg while the patients in the non-interventional arm received placebo tablets. Results: About one-fourth (23.6%) of the patients in the intervention arm and one-third (31.6%) in the placebo arm were tested reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) negative for SARS-CoV-2 on 6th day. Although this difference was found to be statistically insignificant [rate ratio (RR): 0.8; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.4-1.4; p=0.348]. All patients in the ivermectin group were successfully discharged. In comparison the same for the placebo group was observed to be 93%. This difference was found to be statistically significant (RR: 1.1; 95% CI; 1.0-1.2; p=0.045). Conclusions: Inclusion of ivermectin in treatment regimen of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients could not be said with certainty based on our study results as it had shown only marginal benefit in successful discharge from the hospital with no other observed benefits.

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Background: Main objective of this study was to find out the students’ perception and to obtain feedback towards the use of Animal Simulator to demonstrate drug effects in terms of its acceptability, advantages and disadvantages of Computer Assisted Learning (CAL) in experimental pharmacology practical as an educational tool.Methods: Questionnaire based study, done on randomly and voluntarily selected ninety-six fourth and fifth semester MBBS Students. Divided into four groups and each group contained 24 students. Students were taught experimental pharmacology practical online using Animal simulator (CAL- Computer Assisted Learning) for 2 hours on different days in three sessions. Questions and their feedback was taken during these sessions and presented in tables. Statistical analysis of data was done using Graph Pad software.Results: Majority of students i.e. 64 (66.67%) agreed that in vitro and in vivo experiments on animals are essential for better understanding and learning of the biological process. Students were agreed to the majority of the statements for CAL like enjoyable and time saving, easy to perform, contributes more to understanding theoretical concepts, no experimental error seen, welcome change and best alternative to laboratory practical and many experiments can be demonstrated in a short time. Students were disagreed on statements like CAL is an effective method of teaching practical aspects and preferred experimentation than laboratory practical. Majority of students given yes/positive response to questions showing advantages of using CAL. Also, positive feedback was obtained regarding questions showing disadvantages of using CAL software.Conclusions: Students’ perception regarding practical with CAL laboratory using animal simulator was good. The overall view was expressed that they found the exercises interesting and educationally beneficial. Computer assisted learning is a feasible and very effective teaching and learning method in pharmacology with huge potential to change the way of learning as it meets the majority of the learning objectives.

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