WHO says it hasn’t reviewed Coronil for Covid-19 treatment

Patanjali Ayurved had announced last week that its product Coronil got the Ayush Ministry's approval as per WHO norms

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has clarified in a tweet that it has not approved or certified the Patanjali Ayurved-promoted Coronil medicine for Covid-19.

This comes after Patanjali Ayurved said it received Ayush Ministry’s approval for the Covid-19 medicine as per WHO norms.

WHO’s South-East Asia regional office tweeted on its official page that it has certified no traditional medicines for the treatment of Covid-19.

Clarifying the company’s stance on the issue, Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balkrishna tweeted saying that the Goods Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (CPP) has been given to the medicine by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

“It is clear that WHO does not approve or disapprove any drugs,” Balkrishna added in his tweet.

Read | Patanjali's Coronil gets scientific boost as Ramdev releases research paper on Covid-19 medicine

Patanjali had introduced Ayurveda-based Coronil on June 23 last year, when the pandemic was at its peak. It faced severe criticism as it lacked scientific evidence regarding its efficacy.

The Ayush Ministry had classified it as an "immuno-booster" only.

The ministry earlier this month recognised Coronil as medicine for "supporting the measure in Covid-19" treatment, Ramdev said. "This certification will remove the misconception about it in people's mind as it cures Covid also," Ramdev said, adding "it will work against asymptomatic, symptomatic and severe (cases) also. We have data for that."

"It received a huge response despite all controversies. We have data which suggests that more than one crore people have consumed it," he added.

Ramdev further said Coronil will help humanity while providing sustainable and affordable treatment.

(With agency inputs)