WASHINGTON–A group of Republican lawmakers threw their support behind doctors who advocate for the right to try ivermectin, an inexpensive antiparasitic drug, for treating COVID-19. Ivermectin is the latest drug caught in controversy after demand surged dramatically in August. Physician and pharmacist groups, including the American Medical Association “strongly oppose” the prescribing of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 patients. Federal health agencies also issued warnings recently to prevent the use of the drug, stating that “adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse and overdose are increasing.” Critical care physician Pierre Kory, however, describes correctly administered ivermectin as “a gift” in the fight against COVID-19. “I know ivermectin works. I’ve been using it to treat patients for 10 months now,” Kory told The Epoch Times. During the pandemic, Kory led intensive care units in several hotspots, including New York City. He is one of the founding members of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, …