Public requested not to panic until research on indigenous medicine is concluded

10 December 2020 07:31 am - 23 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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In relation to indigenous syrup claiming to cure COVID-19, which was distributed by an Ayurvedic practitioner, Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID-19 Disease Control State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle urged the public not to panic and requested them not to queue up seeking the concoction, until research is concluded.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, she said the Health Ministry had agreed in principle to carry out scientific research on the medicine and added based on the results, it could be said whether the medicine was effective or not.

“Hence, it is too early to comment on it,” she said. Accordingly, the Health Ministry is currently in the process of carrying out scientific research on the medicine.

She said in the Western medical profession, no one can distribute drugs which had not been scientifically tested and approved by an authority.

“Even all imported drugs, have to be registered in Sri Lanka under the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA),”

“The existing registered drugs, which are used, have been scientifically proved and we are aware of the side effects and are aware of who can be administered with the treatment and who cannot be. Our priority is the safety of the general public,” she said.

“So far we know only of vaccines which prevent infectious diseases like Diphtheria and Polio. As per Covid-19 and we are still searching for an antidote," the State Minister said.

It has been recommended that vitamin D could help combat Covid-19 by boosting immunity,” she underlined.

“Therefore, we are yet to approve the particular medicine scientifically,” the State Minister added.

When asked whether the medicine had been approved by the Health Ministry, she said the Health Ministry could not approve such medicine under the present Law.

Meanwhile, commenting on the indigenous medicines to treat COVID-19, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said the medical solutions of the indigenous medical sector would be tested and validated through a special committee appointed by the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine.

A massive crowd was seen at a traditional Ayurvedic centre in Hettimulla, Kegalle on Tuesday (08) where a syrup, claiming to cure Covid-19 was distributed free of charge by a practitioner of Indigenous Medicine. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 23

Being human Thursday, 10 December 2020 07:38 AM

Crazy group of Lankans meet @ Kegalle...!!

Sokrates Thursday, 10 December 2020 07:45 AM

I can not believe that there are so many idiots in this country. But what can one expect from people who voted a criminal family clan into power?

selvakumar Thursday, 10 December 2020 07:46 AM

It's medical systems should have take WHO ( world health orizanation) approval, health ministry have to understand..!!!

Mark MyWord Thursday, 10 December 2020 07:47 AM

Oh no Madam Pavitra Devi has screwed it up again. First throwing Dr White’s magic pots to the river, now drinking and endorsing a magic herbal syrup made by a mason baas.

This is what will happen Thursday, 10 December 2020 07:52 AM

Minister, you are a doctor and the people you have selected to undertake the test of the syrup are also doctors. Then do you want us to believe that the doctors would ever approve this syrup even if it is tested to have 100% cure rate. No, either the doctors would reject it claiming that it is not safe or they would keep stalling the issue for long enough for the people to loose interest in it. The people of Sri Lanka are going to be fooled by the doctors.

Sherlock Holmans Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:08 AM

What a scam to fool the public.

Lal Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:30 AM

TOO MANY COOKS SPOILED THE SOUP. PLEASE TELL US YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE. TKS

Malli Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:31 AM

Desease control state minister is bit late. Madagasgar invented herbal cure for covid back in April and exported it too !

Sachi Kuhananthan, MD Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:35 AM

Vitamin D3 is not only useful in preventing covid-19 but in high doses can be used as a treatment. There are scientific evidence for both. Particularly a well done spanish study showed that high doses of vitamin D3 will prevent ICU admissions by a great extent.

Jaffna Logic Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:37 AM

There are now two conflicting issues, the people are desperate to save themselves and their families from the deadly covid-19, while the doctors are fighting to regain their reputation lost to their inability to understand let alone cure the infection. Therefore the doctors would use all the tricks in the book to prevent the Ayurvedic Syrup being given the official sanction.But this syrup is closer to nature thus there can not be any side effects at all. Hence the people of Sri Lanka have nothing to loose but every potential to gain from this medicine. The country can’t be held to ransom by the scientifically out of depth doctors.

H E L Pless Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:44 AM

Govt and western docs intentionally delay the process of clinical testing. This is outright sabotage. Placebo, double blinded random testing takes only three days plus one for PCR testing, as the drug has to be given for 3 days only. How many days lapsed after H Minister sipped the syrup? People are being fooled by Govt and Western doctors. What a ridiculous country. What a shame on you Minister, being a doctor yourself.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:55 AM

First and foremost, do we have the capabilities

Man Thursday, 10 December 2020 09:15 AM

The person must be advised to take the patent right of it as it could be robbed by the expatriates through our crafty people after condemning the syrup, for money. Apparently, that operation is in action through the so called intelligent people. Thereafter, that tonic will be very good and effective, if and when imported. That's is our nationality which is the Wonder of Asia.

Ronnie Bugger Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:11 AM

How can this 'medicine man' distribute this 'paniya' to the hundreds of illiterates without obtaining any relevant approval to do so. The funniest part of this story is that the IGP, a good for nothing policeman is asking for special reports when it was seen that his subordinates was also waiting in line for this magic portion.

Moorthy Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:26 AM

Sounds GOOD.This what we expect from the Minister, not to taste the medicine like in a food festival just in front of the camera......

Moorthy Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:26 AM

Sounds GOOD.This what we expect from the Minister, not to taste the medicine like in a food festival just in front of the camera......

Moorthy Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:26 AM

Sounds GOOD.This what we expect from the Minister, not to taste the medicine like in a food festival just in front of the camera......

Moorthy Thursday, 10 December 2020 10:26 AM

Sounds GOOD.This what we expect from the Minister, not to taste the medicine like in a food festival just in front of the camera......

Fuller Thursday, 10 December 2020 12:57 PM

Not to panic, 700 corona cases everyday

Gune Thursday, 10 December 2020 01:33 PM

This is pure bullcrap

Sri Lankan Thursday, 10 December 2020 03:16 PM

What everyone (especially slaves of western medicine) shall understand is that the constituents of this herbal syrup include ONLY the ingredients that we are using in our day to day food preparation and as 'ath beheth' (koththamalli, amu inguru, sadikka, and mee-pani) . So, there cannot be any side effects s could happen from a new western medicine which contain unknown/ artificial substances. So, maximum damage that could happen by consuming the herbal syrup is it would 'not be effective', but "NO SIDE EFFECTS". No harm in giving it to covid patients and quanrantine people, and observe its effectiveness. Could any western expert challenge this approach ???

N.Ilangakkone Thursday, 10 December 2020 08:57 PM

This decoction is being distributed before scientifically establishing that it is either a preventive or cure for Covid 19. Already the Government has endorsed it by the Health Minister herself and her stooges drinking the stuff. Any logical or sane individual can see that this is a political gimmick which so called professionals in the medical hierarchy are afraid to denounce because they are thinking that the Ministry of Health will penalize them.

Dr. Michael Perera Friday, 11 December 2020 12:29 AM

All those who made this syrup should drink it a nd sign an affidavit stating that if they get covid They will not burden the healthcare system and stay at home and die

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Public requested not to panic until research on indigenous medicine is concluded

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