Dewormer and scabies drugs being sold as cancer treatments, BBC investigation finds

Animal dewormer fenbendazole and the scabies drug ivermectin are being sold and promoted as unproven cancer treatments, according to a BBC investigation. An undercover journalist was able to purchase the medicines from a stairlift salesman in south Wales, and also found them available for sale on Amazon. The charity Macmillan Cancer Support expressed concern over the findings, noting that a growing number of people are asking about the medicines despite the lack of clinical evidence supporting their use.

Amazon stated it has proactive measures in place to prevent prohibited products from being listed by third-party sellers. Medical professionals warn that vulnerable patients could be put at risk by taking these unapproved medications, as they could potentially harm or delay conventional cancer treatments. Rebecca Holder, who contacted the BBC after being approached by staircase salesman Jason Sarver, revealed that Sarver had discussed the drugs with her father Bob, who had a brain tumour and lung cancer.

Sarver claimed he could provide them to Rebecca's father as an alternative to NHS treatment. However, a subsequent BBC investigation found multiple websites offering delivery of the drugs to UK addresses, with Amazon subsequently removing the listings but confirming that the products are still available under the health and beauty section.