FDA says registered Chinese medicine not for COVID-19

August 13, 2020

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Thursday said a Chinese traditional medicine is not registered in the country as a therapeutic medicine for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.

In an interview, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said their approval is for "Lian Hua Qing Wen" as a traditional medicine despite being used for COVID-19 in China.

"In the Philippines, we approved it as a traditional medicine and as a prescription drug," Domingo said.

"We approved it specifically for the indications stated in the CPR (Certificate of Product Registration)," he added.

In its CPR, the FDA said the Chinese drug can help remove heat toxin invasion of the lungs, including symptoms such as fever, aversion to cold, muscle soreness, stuffy and runny nose.

But, the Chinese Embassy in Manila said it is their government's hope "Lian Hua Qing Wen" will be able to "contribute to the fight against the spread of COVID-19" in the Philippines.

But Domingo said the manufacturer ''cannot put in the packaging that this is an anti-COVID product.''

Asked if ''Lian Hua Qing Wen'' will be included in the country's protocol in treating mild COVID-19 patients, Domingo said not in the immediate future.

“To have it include in the DOH protocol will take a lot of health processes. It has to undergo health assessment, it has to be double-checked as a medicine,” said Domingo. DMS