COVID-Organics Not Effective Against Coronavirus - NIPRD

After testing the effectiveness of the touted COVID-Organics, a herb concocted in Madasgar purported to treat coronavirus, the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has said that the drug has no significant effect in the treatment of the disease.

The institute noted, in its findings, that the drug does "not alter the normal physiology of the animals" used in the test.

President of Madagascar, Andry Rajoelina, had claimed that the drug, COVID-Organics, was the cure for the disease, stating that it had been used by citizens of the country who consequently went on feeling better.

Some of the products were sent to Nigeria, although, President Muhammadu Buhari directed that the drug undergo some tests before it is okayed for use.

In its review of the drug, the NIPRD said, “Safety studies show that COVID ORGANICS (CVO) products do not alter the normal physiology of the animals.

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“CVO caused a significant decrease in the platelet counts although the values are within the physiological range for Wistar rats.

“The increase in alkaline phosphatase observed in the CVO female group may indicate a cause of concern although the values are within the physiological ranges for Wistar rats and this was not observed in the organs.

“On the whole CVO can be considered safe based on the model used which did not cover other routes of administration, effects of long-term use, or organ histological evaluation of the test systems.

“CVO reduced cough frequency with the maximum dose tested producing an effect equivalent to that produced by the centrally acting cough-suppressant, dihydrocodeine.

“To further characterise this product based on its effect on the respiratory tract, it will be important to investigate its effect on tracheal mucus expectoration.

“While CVO dose-dependently reduced general febrile response, the effect was not sustained and was less than for indomethacin.”