A Tarlac-based manufacturing firm has reformulated its Hyssop Vitamin C capsules in a move to strengthen the country’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has bared.

DOST Secretary Fortunato "Boy" T. de la Pena said I-Provide Health Food Manufacturing (IPHFM), producer of food supplements and Vitamin C capsules, was able to reformulate its vitamin products "to address the growing need to improve the immune system to fight COVID-19” through agency’s assistance under Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program (SETUP).

He noted that initially, the IPHFM’s vitamin capsule is composed only of calcium ascorbate and red acerola which is common and similar to other available products in the market.

"But through its R&D (research and development) Team composed of chemists, pharmacists, consultants and the owner himself who has 22 years of experience in herbal medicine, the company took a step forward to improve their product and reformulated Hyssop Vitamin C,” the DOST chief said in a report.

"Hyssop, known for its use as folk medicine was combined for a synergistic effect with extracts from all-natural plants such as guava, rosehips, red acerola cherry and ashitaba, and high quality calcium ascorbate, is a non-acidic and non-synthetic vitamin C.”

De la Peña said the capsules were meticulously processed in "a FDA-LTO (Food and Drug Administration-License to Operate), GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and Halal-certified processing facility, where raw materials are sourced from ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certified suppliers.”

He said the laboratory tests were validated by third party ISO certified laboratory. With this, the FDA granted a Certificate of Product Registration (CPR) to IPHFM’s Hyssop Vitamin C capsule.

He said the IPFHM also produced herbal capsules with balanced formulation best for lungs, heart, and stomach.

"The Rescircol herbal capsule is an excellent product made for the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. It is made from powerful combination of local herbs like lagundi, oregano, ginger, garlic extract, wheat grass, barley grass, which in return also supports local farmers,” de la Peña said.

He said the product is also known as an overall healer, and blood cleanser, and improves most of the cardiovascular processes.

The SUC Blocker which promotes healthy body against diabetes, uric acid, and cholesterol was also produced at the IPHFM.

He said the product helps the body remove toxins and harmful chemicals. Its exceptional blend of herbs from ampalaya, banaba, turmeric extract, lemon grass, fennel seed, and hawthorn berry alleviates bone and joint paints, and numerous cardiovascular diseases, he added.

The IPHFM has so far produced 20 different kinds of health and food supplements products that can be availed through distributors or via online.