NAFDAC Approves Prof. Iwu’s COVID-19 Remedy for Clinical trial

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There is light at the end of the tunnel for a homegrown solution to the COVID-19 pandemic as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration, NAFDAC has approved IHP Detox Tea for clinical trials.

In a letter of approval signed by Ijeoma Nwankwo, director of research and evaluation, to the group of researchers led by Maurice Iwu, a professor of pharmacognosy and president of Bio-Resources Development Company Ltd., dated August 17, which was received in Abuja August 26, NAFDAC authorized the clinical trial of the remedy classified as an herbal supplement.

The clinical trial is titled: “Efficacy and safety of IHP (InterCEDD Health Products) Detox Tea (a special blend of Andrographis paniculata, Garcinia kola, and Psidium guajava) for treatment of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a pilot placebo-controlled randomized trial.”

The approved site of investigation is College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Idi Araba, Lagos, while the principal investigator is Dr. Edamison Olusoji Timeiye.

The approval is for one year and must be conducted strictly within approved protocol by NAFDAC.

In an exclusive interview with TELL, Iwu explained: “IHP Detox Tea is promoted as possible pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 as data and literature on the ingredients suggest. But we are yet to initiate a clinical trial because of the lengthy process of approval and requirements for valid and acceptable clinical trials. There are over 120 cases of people who used IHP Detox Tea who reported conversion from SARS CoV -2 positive to negative results. There are reports of many symptomatic cases that were resolved. Several health professionals use IHP-Detox as possible pre-and post-exposure prophylactic. But all these reports are treated as anecdotal until the products are subjected to controlled clinical trials.”

Recalling the procedure of the approval, Iwu said it was ‘a long and tedious process.” He described the approval as ‘good news.” This approval comes as great relief to Nigerians who are clamouring for alternative remedies for the treatment of coronavirus.

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