The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), has approved the first herbal medicine, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, known locally as Nibima for clinical trials for the treatment of COVID-19.
The drug was submitted by researchers from the School of Public Health at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, (KNUST), in September last year.
The FDA gave the requisite regulatory authorisation for the conduct of the trial after detailed assessment of the application.
Head of the Clinical trials Department of the FDA, Dr. Mrs. Yvonne Adu Boahen told GBC that although the traditional medicine in question is used for the treatment of malaria, there is evidence of favourable results in the treatment of COVID-19, that is why it has been approved for clinical trial.
Dr. Mrs Adu Baohen said the FDA has already conducted assessments of some of the vaccines expected to arrive in March as stated by President Akufo-Addo in a update on measures against COVID-19.
Dr. Mrs Adu Boahen said they can confirm the safety of the vaccines expected next month.