- Madagascar ships unproven herbal remedy for COVID-19 to several African nations.
Antananarivo(ANN)-Madagascar is situated in the south western area of the Indian Ocean east of the coast of Africa, Madagascar the Indian archipelago island nation, in the spotlight about 400 km off the coast of Mozambique. located about 400 km off the coast of Mozambique.
Madagascar is putting its self-proclaimed, plant-based “cure” for COVID-19 on sale and several countries in Africa have already put in orders for purchase, despite warnings from the World Health Organization that its efficacy is unproven.
Last month President Andry Rajoelina launched the remedy at a news conference, drinking from a sleekly branded bottle filled with an amber liquid that he said had already cured two people.
On Friday, a Tanzanian delegation arrived in Madagascar to collect their consignment.
Madagascar ships unproven herbal remedy for COVID-19 to several African nations.
The tonic, based on the plant Artemisia annua, which has anti-malarial properties, has not undergone any internationally recognized scientific testing. While Rajoelina extolled its virtues, the WHO cautioned it needs to be tested for efficacy and side effects.
Madagascar has been giving away thousands of bottles of COVID-19 Organics, developed by the state-run Malagasy Institute of Applied Research.
Senegal has approved Madagascar’s Covid Organics (CVO), an herbal potion for clinical trials that is said to cure coronavirus of COVID-19 pandemic patients, reported local media.
“We are moving to use the Artemisia [the main component of the CVO]. On our side. We are evaluating it scientifically. We have given green light” Daouda Ndiaye, head of the Senegalese scientific committee told local Radio Futurs Medias, a local FM network on Thursday.
“We will work on a protocol to see how to give it to Senegalese patients,” he said
Top Senegalese scientist, however, cautioned people against self-medication or using the potion on their own without medical supervision.
He said the coronavirus herbal remedy can be used both for prevention and to cure patients.
Dr. Aloyse Waly Diouf, an official at the Senegalese Health Ministry said his country will begin clinical trials on Artemisia. “The work will start today,” he said.
Senegal has 1,492 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, with 13 deaths, and 562 recoveries, according to figures compiled by the US. -based at Johns Hopkins University.
Covid Organics was officially launched by Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina last month. The drug has been developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research.
”I salute Madagascar’s efforts in the search for therapeutic solutions which Senegal is following with interest,” Senegal’s President Macky Sall said following Rajoelina’s announcement.
On Thursday, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for clinical trials of Madagascar’s Covid Organics.
“We are advising the government of Madagascar to take this product through a clinical trial and we are prepared to collaborate with them,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO’s regional director for Africa, told a media briefing.
South Africa has also expressed willingness to assist Madagascar to undertake scientific analysis of Covid Organics. Madagascar has so far shipped the CVO to several African countries.
Tanzania, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Guinea Bissau have all already received thousands of doses of COVID-19 Organics free of charge.
A legal adviser in the president’s office told Reuters on Wednesday that Madagascar would now begin selling the remedy, which domestically can be bought for around 40 cents US per bottle.
“This remedy can be put on the market,” Marie Michelle Sahondrarimalala, director of Legal Studies at the Presidency, told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. “Madagascar has already received orders from state authorities in other countries, but also from private individuals.”
Heads of other African countries said they were placing orders.