By Athira ABD Latiff
KUANTAN, 23 September 2021: The COVID-19 pandemic has altered everyones life in a way where common flu and colds can be mistaken as mild COVID-19 symptoms causing many to be wary of even with the slightest appearance of a sore throat.
Hence, the Kulliyyah of Pharmacy at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) developed the iKool ointment under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Farahidah Mohamed with assistance from four researchers of the Kulliyyah.
With a combination of natural herbal-based and synthetic ingredients, the iKool ointment consists of 95% natural ingredients from herbal essential oils and pharmaceutical grade mineral sources, while only 5 percent of the remaining component is synthetic material composition.
Dr. Farahidah emphasised that for three years the iKool ointment experienced thorough Research and Development (R&D) process including the registration at the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NRPA).
She also highlighted that the iKool ointment is 100% developed at the Kulliyyah of Pharmacys R&D laboratory œbecause each ingredient used must meet the standard operating procedures (SOP) and strict pharmaceutical practices.
œThis iKool ointment is produced to help those who suffer from colds and coughs for which they need to consume the medicine in the form of liquids and in turn will make them drowsy. This ointment can also be used during the month of Ramadan to relieve coughs and colds without having to consume the medicine orally, Dr. Farahidah underlined.
Some children and individuals dislike consuming cough medicines orally due to interference with their productivity. However, the iKool ointment can be used as a safe and halal alternative as it does not possess a drowsy after-effect unlike most cough medicines in the market.
Dr. Farahidah added that the iKool ointment can be inhaled or applied to desired areas and still relieve coughs effectively without having to consume the medicine.
She pointed out that œdaily productivity is not affected if a person has a cough and flu, and iKool can also provide freshness from its refreshing aromatherapy scent”.
Considering the current pandemic, the iKool ointment can also be used to relieve mild COVID-19 symptoms. Despite iKools initial motivation of creating an alternative for oral cough medicines, the active ingredient involved is a substance that has been approved by the authorities that regulate medicines such as NPRA in Malaysia and Food and Drug Agency (FDA) in the U.S.
œThis ointment was introduced in the market in July 2020 during the COVID-19 period, and it helps dilute thick phlegm, and relieve nasal congestion.
The high percentage of natural ingredients and pharmaceutical grade used is perfectly formulated, allowing this ointment to relieve symptoms such as sore throat, body ache, stuffy nose, and breathing difficulty which are coincidentally symptoms experienced by COVID-19 patients, Dr. Farahidah concluded.
iKool ointment is accessible at all COOP Pharmacy branches nationwide and online through Shopee. It is cheap, effective, and portable everywhere and anywhere you go. ***