Fri, 29 March 2024
The Daily Ittefaq

Thailand develops nasal spray to prevent Covid-19

Update : 18 Jun 2022, 10:22

A nasal spray to prevent Covid-19, which was developed locally, will be available for public use by September this year.

Rachada Dhnadirek, who is the deputy government spokeswoman said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had since praised the joint project of developing the nasal spray.

Reports in Bangkok Post said experts in pharmaceutical and medical supplies from Chulalongkorn University, Silpakorn University, Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI), the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO) and Siam Bioscience worked together on the project.

The group signed an agreement on Feb 28 to jointly develop the spray, aimed at pushing Thai innovation and research efforts to meet international standards.

She said the nasal spray will be available to the public for sale in the third quarter.

GPO deputy director, Rangsee Patlee, said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had granted a certificate for the production of respiratory-care medical supplies which permits the distribution of the nasal spray solution developed by the GPO.

The anti-Covid-19 nasal spray is also certified by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for medical devices, he said.

"As our facility has passed ISO requirements for medical supply distribution, we can guarantee that the production of this anti-Covid-19 product is safe and of good quality," Rangsee said.

Rachada said in addition to the nasal spray, Gen Prayut had praised the GPO for developing the second Thailand Covid-19 vaccine, HXP-GPOVac, which has now gone through its first and second clinical trials.

Lab results indicate it can ward off the Omicron variant, she said, adding it is being considered for approval by the FDA.

The GPO will press ahead with a third trial and distribution could begin by mid-2023.

Rachada also gave an update on ChulaCov19, an mRNA-based vaccine developed by the Chula Vaccine Research Centre at Chulalongkorn University and the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

Tests have shown its efficiency matches the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, she said.

The ChulaCov19 vaccine is now undergoing a third clinical trial and if the FDA approves its use, it will be ready for public use by year's end, she said.

Rachada said such developments in biotechnology reflect the potential of Thai scientists and the strength of the country's health system.

Even though Covid-19 will become endemic, the development of the vaccines is still needed for future use, she added.

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