The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says hydrogen peroxide has not been approved for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 by any international body.
In a statement, the GMA said “the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Ghana Health Service (GHS), Health Ministry (MOH), the World Health Organisation (WHO) or any reputable international drug or health regulatory body has not approved, authorised or recommended the use of hydrogen peroxide for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19.”
The GMA said hydrogen peroxide had originally been used as a disinfectant specifically in Ghana in very low concentrations.
The statement follows recent media publications on the use of hydrogen peroxide to prevent COVID-19, a move which has led to panic buying and shortages in the market.
The GMA said despite published observational studies in Ghana and across the world suggesting that hydrogen peroxide “may be used” for the prevention of the COVID-19 disease, “it does not constitute sufficient proof that it will work in human populations to prevent or treat COVID-19 at this present moment.”
Warning
Meanwhile, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) and the Pharmacy Council have warned of a rise in the sale of fake and substandard hydrogen peroxide on the market.
In a joint statement, the two institutions said, “A joint monitoring by officers of the Pharmacy Council and the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) has revealed shortage of hydrogen peroxide in pharmaceutical facilities due to panic buying.
“This has given rise to the sale of fake and substandard hydrogen peroxide on the market. Pharmacies and over-the-counter medicine shops are hereby cautioned to always buy their stocks from licensed wholesalers and manufacturers,” the joint statement added.
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