Mumbai: First, it was hydroxychloroquine, then the Ayurvedic drug Zingivir-H and now, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to take the homoeopathic route in the ongoing war on coronavirus. It has now issued a circular, directing officers of the G north and K west ward to distribute free of cost, Arsenicum Album 30 pills, while providing dosage instructions.
Recently, the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), under the ministry of AYUSH, had recommended that Arsenicum Album 30 could be taken as prophylaxis against coronavirus.
Dr Padmaja Keskar, executive health officer, BMC, issued a circular directing ward officers to give this medicine to asymptomatic corona patients. “The drug has been distributed in the community in Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and it’s not known to cause adverse effects either.
It may also be given to patients in quarantine centres,” she said. Kiran Dighavakar, AMC, G north ward said, “We will start giving this medicine from today (Monday) to patients quarantined at CCC1 and CCC2s (Covid care centres 1& 2).”
Dr Ajit Funde, associated with Maharashtra Homoeopathic Council, said that this homoeopathic medicine was being administered to corona patients in Rajasthan, Kerala, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh and their response was promising.
"Through the council also, we are delivering this medicine to many people. Significantly, there is no medicine for coronavirus yet, but the effect of the malaria drug HCQ and the homeopathic drug Arsenic Album 30 on it are evident,” he said.
