Scientific proof needed for products sold as ‘protection’ vs COVID-19 — FDA
MANILA, Philippines — Manufacturers of products claiming to cure or prevent the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) should provide scientific data to prove efficacy, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.
FDA Director-General Eric Domingo made the statement Friday after receiving reports that a lanyard or necklace called Virus Shut Out and at least two other products which are being sold online, claim to give protection against COVID-19. Domingo said the two products, which are not approved by the FDA, have no shown evidence of efficacy against COVID-19.
“Nagpagawa na po tayo ng reports dyan. Pasusulatan po natin itong mga nagbebenta nito… Ang hinihingi po natin sa kanila ay scientific data showing na ang paggamit nito ay nakakabawas ng exposure sa virus, pero so far wala pa pong naisusubmit sa atin,” he said in an interview with Teleradyo.
(We have already ordered the creation of reports on that. We will write to the sellers of these products… What we are asking them is scientific data showing that its use will decrease exposure to the virus, but so far none has been submitted to us.)
Virus Shut Out is a lanyard or a necklace supposedly with sodium hydrochloride or a compound that is used to disinfect water. It is supposedly made in Japan based on its packaging and is reportedly being sold online in the Philippines through social media and shopping apps.
Domingo said that although the product is being sold in some Asian countries like China, Korea, and Japan, counterparts of the FDA in those countries have not approved of its use as protection against COVID-19.
Article continues after this advertisement“Wala po tayong makitang ebidensya na nagsasabing nakakaprevent po talaga sya ng transmission ng virus. Sa ngayon po wala pa po (We have not seen any evidence that proves it can prevent the transmission of the virus. As of now, there is no evidence yet),” Domingo said.
Article continues after this advertisementHe added that the public should not rely on the product for protection against the coronavirus disease.
As of Thursday afternoon, the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is already at 11,876, including 790 deaths and 2,337 recoveries.
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