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Madagascar’s leaders have promoted untested products that are said to cure disease, despite WHO caution against using untested drugs. (Read Also: 5 Tips for Maintaining Your Body’s Endurance during a Flood)
Reporting from BBC, WHO said the new rule aims to help and empower scientists in Africa to conduct proper clinical trials.
The move comes as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide surpasses 30 million, with reported global deaths at more than 957,000. In Africa there are more than 1.3 million reported cases and more than 33,000 deaths.
About 140 potential vaccines for COVID-19 are being developed worldwide, with dozens of vaccines already being tested on people in clinical trials. In parallel with these efforts, the green light has now been given for three-phrase clinical trials using traditional African medicines.
The expert panel, formed by the WHO, the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the African Union’s Commission on Social Affairs has approved the protocol. Phase three trials typically test the safety and efficacy of drugs in a larger group of participants.
“The application of technical documents will ensure that universally accepted clinical evidence of the efficacy of herbal medicines for the treatment of COVID-19 is produced without compromising the safety of participants,” said Prof. Motlalepula Gilbert Matsabisa as Chair of the Panel.
“The start of COVId-19, like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, has highlighted the need to strengthen health systems and accelerate research and development programs, including in traditional medicine,” explained Dr. Prosper Tumusiime from WHO through a written statement.
In April 2020, Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina launched COVID-19 Organics and said it was prevention as well as treatment. It has been tested on 20 people for three weeks. (Read Also: Study: Getting Cold and COVID-19 Together Can Increase Your Risk of Death Significantly)
The drink, which has also been shipped to dozens of African countries, is produced by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research from the artemisia plant or the source of the ingredients used for treatment malaria and other Malagasy plants.
Meanwhile, Dr Tumusiime explained that through the WHO Africa Vaccine Regulatory Forum, there is now a way for clinical trials of drugs in the region to be assessed and approved in less than 60 days.
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