MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned the public against misleading claims by firms producing or selling nasal spray products that they can be used to prevent or treat COVID-19.
In Advisory No. 2021-2289, FDA director general Eric Domingo said the nasal spray products wereauthorized in the Philippines as “medical devices that are intended for short-term use in the nasal cavity and serves as mechanical barriers from particulates.”
He noted these products are sprays that “coat the nasal mucosa with substances that have non-specific effect agaisnt pathogens.”
“They should not be used as substitutes to medicines and vaccines to prevent or treat SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19,” the Sept. 10 advisory read.
Domingo added that the products do not have active pharmaceutical ingredients that directly treat, eliminate or prevent diseases.