An undercover investigation by the BBC has found vendors offering the veterinary deworming drugs fenbendazole and ivermectin as treatments for cancer. The report, published on Tuesday, details how a reporter posing as a patient was pitched these unapproved remedies.
According to the BBC, the undercover reporter was directly offered both substances during the course of the investigation. The drugs, which are commonly used to treat parasites in animals, have no regulatory approval for use as cancer therapies in humans.
The BBC’s findings highlight a growing marketplace for unproven alternative cancer treatments. Fenbendazole and ivermectin have gained attention in recent years through online forums and social media, where anecdotal claims have fueled demand despite a lack of clinical evidence supporting their effectiveness against cancer.
Medical experts have repeatedly warned that using veterinary medications without proper oversight can be dangerous. The drugs are not formulated for human consumption in the same way as approved pharmaceuticals, and self-medicating with them carries risks of toxicity and adverse reactions. The BBC report did not specify which vendors were involved or where the offers were made.
The investigation underscores the challenge regulators face in policing the sale of unapproved treatments, particularly as such products circulate through informal channels. It also serves as a cautionary note for patients seeking alternatives to conventional care.
What to watch next: Whether the BBC’s report prompts any regulatory response or public statements from the vendors identified in the investigation.
