African body discussing Madagascar's 'herbal Covid mix'

ANKARA

The African Union (AU) has said it is in discussion with Madagascar over Covid Organics (CVO), a herbal drink that is said to prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus, according to a statement.

The AU in a statement late Monday said it is talking with Madagascar via its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to obtain technical data regarding the safety and efficiency of a herbal remedy, recently announced by Madagascar for the reported prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

It said, once finished, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) will review the scientific data gathered so far on the safety and efficacy of Covid Organics.

''This review will be based on global technical and ethical norms to garner the necessary scientific evidence regarding the performance of the tonic,'' the statement added.

Last month, Malagasy President Andry Rajoelina officially launched the CVO, a herbal mixture, claiming that it can prevent and cure patients suffering from the novel coronavirus. The drug was developed by the Malagasy Institute of Applied Research.

But, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against any self-medication and said it has not recommended any medicine as a cure for COVID-19.

In response, the WHO said it supports scientifically-proven traditional medicine.

''WHO welcomes every opportunity to collaborate with countries and researchers to develop new therapies and encourages such collaboration for the development of effective and safe therapies for Africa and the world,'' it said in a statement.

Rajoelina said on Monday his government was already collaborating with foreign doctors and researchers on the matter, looking for alternative research possibilities but still on the trail of the Artemisia plant -- the main component of CVO.

"A pharmaceutical factory will be set up within a month to increase the production capacity of Covid Organics. It will be administered in other forms such as injections," Rajoelina said on Twitter.