ICPA HEALTH PRODUCTS WRITES TO GOVT. FOR INCLUSION OF CHLORHEXIDINE MOUTHWASH IN COVID‐19 PREVENTION MEASURES

Mumbai, May 12: ICPA Health Products Ltd (ICPA), India’s leading pharmaceutical company and pioneers in the oral-health segment has submitted a representation to the Government requesting the inclusion of Chlorhexidine mouthwash to the list of precautionary measures and best health practices to reduce COVID19 transmission effectively. In the representation, ICPA has cited multiple independent, peer reviewed studies that indicate rinsing the mouth and gargling the throat with Chlorhexidine mouthwash eliminates the virus and reduces its transmission. ICPA has suggested to the Government that along with safe distancing, hand sanitization, proper use of masks and eyewear, the use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash can effectively reduce virus transmission.

“India is witnessing a record number of cases in the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although vaccines seem like the best option to develop herd immunity at community level and to prevent the spread of infections, its implementation will take time to cover the entire population. In the interim, we urgently need measures that will help us crush the curve by preventing the spread and by reducing the severity of the infection. We need an inexpensive and effective solution to control the pandemic. Studies have suggested that Chlorhexidine mouthwash is a safe and straightforward addition to the current COVID‐19 prevention guidelines which is also inexpensive and widely available,” says Ms Abha Damani, Director, ICPA Health Products Ltd.

Active cases have crossed the 24 lakh mark and, the number of new cases and the corresponding fatalities are rising every day.

Benefits Of Chlorhexidine Mouthwash: –

• Single rinse with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash reduced the SARS-COV-2 viral load in the mouth for 2 hours helping reduce the viral transmission
• 4 days of chlorhexidine Mouthwash use eliminated SARS-COV-2 from the oropharynx in 62.1% of users
• Chlorhexidine Mouthwash is a simple & safe addition to the current COVID‐19 prevention guidelines

What The Research Report Says

“A new study in the Journal of Medical Virology, March 2021, offers an effective solution to the current crisis. The study suggests that Chlorhexidine mouthwash can eradicate the virus from the oropharyngeal region. Chlorhexidine’s antiviral effect on enveloped viruses is known since 1990. The novel coronavirus SARS-COV-2 responsible for the current pandemic is also an enveloped virus. SARS-CoV-2 is a weak virus, the envelope of which when destroyed, inactivates the virus. An Indian study has found that Chlorhexidine digluconate in 0.2 per cent concentration inactivated SARS-CoV-2 in minimal contact time of 30 seconds. The studies are of great significance especially when the cases are rising along with new variants, because Chlorhexidine acts by destroying the outer envelope so that the mutations and genetically different variants all become susceptible,” says Dr Rajeev Chitguppi, Technical Head (Marketing), ICPA Health Products Ltd.

Lancet journal study in April 2020 showed that Chlorhexidine in a concentration as low as 0.05 per cent could successfully inactivate SARS-COV-2. Currently available mouthwashes of 0.2 per cent w/v concentration are four times stronger than 0.05 per cent. Another study in May 2020 showed that a single rinse with Chlorhexidine reduced the SARS-COV-2 viral load in the mouth for 2 hours. Chlorhexidine’s main strength is substantivity – persistent attachment to oral tissues and sustained action inside the mouth.

“A mouthwash is of no use without persistent attachment and prolonged action inside the mouth. Even a good antiviral property is of no use if the mouthwash has no prolonged action, because within a few minutes after spitting, the mouth becomes refilled with new virus coming from salivary glands and lungs. For decades we know that the only molecule with prolonged and sustained activity inside the mouth is chlorhexidine,” adds Dr Chitguppi.

The Conclusion

“The use of Chlorhexidine mouthwash will help reduce the viral spread from asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals to others thus reducing transmission in the community. It will reduce the oropharyngeal viral load in the symptomatic individuals and prevent worsening of their health condition.

Right now, the country needs to take every possible measure that can reduce the burden on our doctors, health workers and medical infrastructure. The inclusion of Chlorhexidine mouthwash is a deterrent against the spread of the virus. We hope that the Government considers the suggestions and implements them at the earliest,” concludes Ms Damani.