Alcoholic Bitters Not Treatment For COVID-19

Mampong – Akuapem: Following the outbreak of COVID-19 /Coronavirus in Ghana in recent days and the collective efforts of the government and people of Ghana in dealing with this disease, the Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) is concerned about social media postings alleging that alcoholic bitters could be a substitute for hand sanitizers in seeking to prevent the coronavirus infections.

In a press statement released on Monday, March 16, 2020, CPMR wishes to make it known that no herbal bitters or local gin could be a viable substitute for hand rubbing.

This is due to the fact that:

• For a sanitizer to be effective in ridding the hands of coronavirus, sanitizers must have 60-95% alcohol by volume, and That alcohol content for bitters on the market is often less than 45%.

Thus, clearly, such bitters and their alcohol contents are inadequate as a sterilizing measure against COVID-19.

CPMR also wishes to place on record that no known medicinal plant, or herbal product or local gin has, at yet, been proven to be efficacious against COVID-19.

As a research centre of excellence, noted that, they are engaging with their various partners and stakeholders including the Ministry of Health and Traditional Medicine Practitioners to explore research opportunities in the fight against COVID-19 using herbal medicine.

CPMR therefore advised the public to be mindful of false information and also adhere to the Ghana Health Service guidelines regarding COVID-19.

These guidelines include:

• Frequent cleaning of hands with soap under running water or the use of alcohol-based sanitizers.

• Covering cough with a bend of the elbow or tissue paper.

• Maintaining a distance of at least one meter from people coughing or sneezing

• Regular physical activities

• Regular intake of water and

• Lastly, ensuring personal hygiene.

The Centre for Plant Medicine Research (CPMR) is a centre of research excellence with a mandate of providing leadership in plant medicine research in Ghana. It was established in 1975 as an agency of the Ministry of Health and aims at making herbal medicine a natural choice for all.

Signed

Baffour Osei Akoto

(Head, Public Relations)

The following officials are available to comment on this release

Dr. Kofi Bobi Barimah Dr. Alfred Ampomah Appiah

(Executive Director) (Principal Research Officer)