The Ghana Medical Association (GMA) says 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.

Their statement follows recent media publications on the use of hydrogen peroxide to prevent Covid-19, which has led to panic buying and shortages of the product from pharmacy outlets.

According to the GMA, hydrogen peroxide had originally been used as a disinfectant specifically in Ghana in very low concentrations.

Hydrogen Peroxide suitable in fight against Covid-19 – Prof Ayettey

A retired professor of the University of Ghana Medical School, College of Health Sciences, says research conducted by a team of medical scientists and doctors have proven the efficacy of hydrogen peroxide on Covid-19 virus.  

The solution, according to Emeritus Prof Andrews Seth Ayettey, is safe to use in a low concentration and could be applied to reduce viral load in the oral and nasal cavities of Covid-19 patients and to inactivate the viruses they shed.

He told JoyNews‘ Samson Lardy on Newsfile, Saturday, that he recommended the use of hydrogen peroxide as immediate protection against the virus.

 “I can say from what we have research and what we have found, the evidence we have so far clearly indicates that Hydrogen peroxide works.”   

 “We are, therefore, more emboldened to recommend the use of hydrogen peroxide to protect against Covid-19, alongside the public health protocols and other remedies being actively promoted by government,” he said.

Hydrogen peroxide is a registered antiseptic says FDA

But the GMA stated that “In Ghana, hydrogen peroxide at low concentrations of 3-6% w/v is registered by the FDA as antiseptic for minor cuts, wounds and skin ulcers and also a mouthwash and deodorant gargle,” their statement read.

They stated that despite published observational studies in Ghana and across the world suggesting that hydrogen peroxide “may be used” for the prevention of Covid-19, “it does not constitute sufficient proof that it will work in human populations to prevent or treat Covid-19 at this present moment.”

However, to ascertain its effectiveness in the fight against the novel coronavirus, randomised clinical trials both locally and internationally on the use of hydrogen peroxide have started.

Meanwhile, till the results from the trials are published, the GMA is recommending that citizens handle the product with care as they would any other drug taking into consideration that “the misuse of same could lead to serious physical and undesirable medical consequences.”

They further advised that the general public consult appropriate health professionals before purchasing and using the product.

And finally, the GMA urged the general public to adhere religiously, to the Covid-19 safety protocols as laid down by the Health Ministry and Ghana Health Service.