On 16 May, in the scope of “Pressing” program, the host touched upon the “Health tone” additive, which supports the treatment of a new type of coronavirus, noting that the drug of unknown origin is being tested in the army on soldiers. Indonesian merdeka.com also wrote about the use of additives among the soldiers infected with coronavirus. Most likely, referring to this media outlet, the host informs about the “unknown” company producing the drug, its dubious effectiveness and testing on soldiers.

The “Information Control Center” state information platform launched by the government contacted with Yevgenia Melkonyan, the Director of “Ria Pharmaceuticals” LLC. She said that “Health Tone” is not a test drug for the treatment of COVID-19, but an active food additive – an antioxidant.

“Health Ton ” food supplement is a mixture of five vegetable essential oils. It is produced by “Ria Pharmaceuticals” LLC, which is the representative of “RIA Pharmaceuticals Science” Singaporean organization in Armenia.

The company has been operating in Armenia since 2016, and the supplement was registered in March 2019. It should be noted that “Health Tone” is registered in all EEU member states.

What is “Health Tone”? What does COVID-19 have to do with it? “Health Tone” is an antioxidant that fights bacterial and viral infections in the body, as well as against free radicals of oxygen and nitrogen in the cells during chronic inflammatory and tumor processes. It has not been developed for the treatment of coronavirus, but research has shown that it can be used as an adjunct in treatment.

As for the rumors about testing it in the army, Defense Ministry spokesman Shushan Stepanyan denied it, noting that the information about the test in the army is a manipulation.

“The antioxidant was used in late April, after receiving the position of the Ministry of Health, as a means of supporting the treatment of servicemen-patients with coronavirus disease,” the spokesman said.

The “Information Control Center” also contacted the Ministry of Health. The agency said it had received a proposal to consider the additive as a means of supporting COVID-19 treatment.

On 20 April, on the initiative of the Ministry of Health, a discussion was held with the participation of infectious disease specialists, virologists, resuscitators, as well as representatives of “Ria Pharmaceuticals” Company. Since this herbal supplement has been properly documented, its antiviral effect has been proven, and it has been suggested that it may be used as a treatment.

Thus, as a result of discussions organized by the Ministry of Health, it was decided that this antioxidant can be used as a means of supporting the treatment of coronavirus, after which it was used only among servicemen-patients with coronavirus disease.