Four in 10 Brazilians Used Ineffective Drugs Against Covid - 11/09/2026 - Science and Health - Folha de S.Paulo

A study published in a journal of the University of São Paulo (USP) found that 39% of Brazilians used drugs with no proven efficacy against Covid-19. The research, conducted by researchers from universities in Brazil and the United States in 2024, surveyed 9,591 people with a history of Covid-19 infection in 133 municipalities across Brazil’s 26 states and the Federal District.

Overall, 63% of participants reported using some type of medication, most commonly antipyretics (53.7%) and antibiotics (36.2%). Among drugs with no proven efficacy, azithromycin was the most widely used (27.2%), followed by ivermectin (23.6%) and chloroquine (12.1%).

Chloroquine use was higher among those who distrusted scientists (20.6% versus 10.1%), as was the combination of chloroquine and ivermectin (34% versus 26.2%).

The researchers say the data suggest that some of the use may have resulted from inappropriate prescriptions, although the study does not distinguish between medications recommended by healthcare professionals and those taken without medical advice.