Ministry of Health rejects 9 FDA, CSIR approved medicines for Covid-19

The ministry of health, headed by Hon Kwaku Agyeman Manu has rejected nine herbal medicines which the Center for Scientific and industrial Research, out of the many product that were presented to them for Scientific Research to fight the deadly Covid-19, together with the Food and Drugs Authority have approved.

The Center for Scientific and Industrial Research earlier approved nine Herbal medicines, together with the Food and Drugs Authority and later presented to the Ministry for final approval for the medicines to be used on the Covid-19 patients, but the ministry has totally rejected all of them.

Meanwhile, Madagascar is reaching out to the FDA to scientifically test the efficacy of their herbal cure.

It is believed that we as a country are waiting for a vaccine which is yet to be discovered

Ghana’s Total confirmed cases = 8,070 (new cases = 189)
Total recoveries = 2,947
Total deaths = 36
Active cases = 5,087

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Madagascar’s Covid-19 ‘cure’ received by Ghana, its efficacy being tested

Ghana has received a herbal cure for Covid-19 developed in Madagascar, the Information Ministry has revealed.

An update from the Ministry said the drug is being tested for its efficacy.

We have received the Madagascar cure for Covid19 and we are testing it for efficacy – @konkrumah#AskTheInfoMinistry #Covid19

— Ministry of Information (@moigovgh) May 19, 2020

There has been pressure mounted on government locally to contact the African country for the medication after Andry Rajoelina, Madagascar’s President launched it in April.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has, however, not endorsed it.

The Organisation says there is no proof of a cure for Covid-19 after Madagascar’s President launched it.

The BBC also reported that Madagascar’s national medical academy (Anamem) cast doubt on the efficacy of the Covid-Organics.

It said it had the potential to damage people’s health as its “scientific evidence had not been established”.

The tonic is produced from the artemisia plant – the source of an ingredient used in a malaria treatment – and other Malagasy plants.

Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) would be expected to study the drug and give a recommendation on it.

Ghana will not accept Madagascar’s Covid-19 cure and this is why

Madagascar has been in the news couple of weeks now for touting a herbal medicine product it says can cure the novel COVID-19.

So far, most African countries like Guinea-Bissau, Congo, and Tanzania have all taken delivery of the product.

But Ghana will not accept or try this medicine.

Ghana’s Food and Drug Authority (FDA) has hinted that it will not allow the use of Madagascar’s purported COVID-19 remedy in the country because it hasn’t been scientifically proven by any medical experts.

Chief Executive Officer of FDA, Mimi Delese Darko, says that Ghana needs more evidence from medical experts before accepting the product as COVID-19 cure.

“…Yes, we’ve read about it but what we also look out for is evidence so you cannot just put a drug or a herbal product on the market without evidence and say it treats a disease. So far as we’ve seen, it was tested in about 20 people over 3 weeks and come out with the claim of cure. There is no published study and what we would say is that we will need more evidence,” said Mimi delese Darko

However, the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Patrick Kuma-Aboagye, has said that Ghana is ready to make an assessment on ‘COVID-Organics’- the purported COVID-19 cure from Madagascar.

Madagascar President, Andry Rajoelina has been promoting the plant-based tonic, COVID-Organics as South Africa promise to assist them in a scientific analysis.

FDA’s recommendations on how homemade face masks should be produced and worn

FDA approves usage of homemade face masks

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has given approval for the usage of homemade face masks by Ghanaians.

The Authority has also outline best ways to use the homemade face masks.

According to the FDA, face masks must be able to filter out particles and still be easy to breathe through.

“In the absence of propylene, which is the common material used for medical grade face masks, 100% cotton or cotton blends possess good material characteristics for homemade face masks. Recent studies/evaluations undertaken by the FDA on viable materials for the production”

The FDA further recommends that “Reusable homemade face masks should be properly washed before reuse. Used homemade face masks must first be disinfected; then washed with soap or detergent until clean, rinsed under running water; dried in the open sun, and ironed before reuse”

Touching on the fabric to be used, the FDA said fabric used for face masks should be free from all chemicals.

Below is the full specifications:

SPECIFICATIONS

i. Dimensions

• Length: Cheek-to-cheek: 10 inches

• Width: 6 inches

• Thickness: Three layers: Not Less Than (NLT) 0.759mm

• Porosity: ≥10000 Pascal

ii. Splash Test (Alcohol-based aerosol spray): No stain of alcohol-based aerosol should be seen at the reverse side of the face mask

iii. Filtration of Bacteria: Reduction of NLT 3 log.

SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOMEMADE FACE MASKS

Fabric and Design

•It is recommended that fabric used for face mask should be free from all chemicals.

•In any event that printed fabric is used, the layer of the fabric in direct contact with the face should be plain fabric that is free from chemicals.

Fabric/Material Combinations

To be effective, face masks generally must be able to filter out particles and still be easy to breathe through. In the absence of propylene, which is the common material used for medical grade face masks, 100% cotton or cotton blends possess good material characteristics for homemade face masks. Recent studies/evaluations undertaken by the FDA on viable materials for the production following:of effective homemade face masks from local fabrics/materials established the

1. Calico-Stiff (Hard/Medium)-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

2. Calico-Calico-Calico (three layers) combination is ideal for reusable homemade COVID-19 face mask.

Cleaning of Homemade Face Masks

Reusable homemade face masks should be properly washed before reuse. Used homemade face masks must first be disinfected; then washed with soap or detergent until clean, rinsed under running water; dried in the open sun, and ironed before reuse.

They should be routinely washed depending on the frequency of use or when saturated from condensation build-up from breathing, or after a contamination event.

**Provide identification tags on the face masks, including the FDA Registration Number.

Just in: FDA orders recall of COA FS from markets

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has ordered persons who have in their possession the food supplement COA FS, to return the products to the manufacturer or point of sale.

According to the FDA, laboratory analysis on random COA FS products picked from the manufacturing company and the market, showed it was not safe for consumption.

A press release signed by the CEO, Mrs Delese A. A. Darko, the Authority said that upon further checks, the product has been found to contain Escherichia coli, a type of bacteria that normally lives in the intestines.

The FDA said that E Coli as it is popularly known, causes gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

E Coli, it added, when exposed to children and adults, could cause serious health implications some of which could lead to a kidney failure.

COA FS, according to the FDA, also showed signs of excessive microbial, mould and yeast contamination.

“In view of the above, those who are in possession of the product are being directed to return the product to the manufacturer, place of purchase or any of the FDA offices across the country,” the statement said.

It also directed the manufacturer, COA Herbal Centre, in Workroom near Cape Coast, to withdraw the products from the market.

Again, FDA officers across the country have been tasked to ensure the “contaminated” COA FS are out of the market.

“The FDA wants to assure the general public that it will always uphold the health and safety of Ghanaians as mandated by the Public Health Act 2012 Act 851.”

Below is the official release from the FDA: