Online Pharm, an affiliate of Hanmi Science, will supply Cold Mask — a medical device designed to prevent respiratory virus infection — to pharmacies nationwide.
The product is a nasal spray for everyday use and the only lambda-carrageenan nasal spray sold over the counter at pharmacies. Lambda-carrageenan is a polymer compound extracted from natural seaweed. When sprayed, it forms a physical barrier on the nasal mucosa, blocking external respiratory viruses from penetrating and attaching to the membrane. That mechanism of action is why the product is classified as a medical device.
No prescription is required — users simply spray it directly into the nasal cavity. Three applications a day are recommended under normal circumstances, and the frequency can be increased if infection is suspected or confirmed.
"It is a new-concept medical device that forms a physical barrier on the nasal mucosa to block respiratory viruses," an Online Pharm official said. "The convenient spray format and the differentiated properties of the lambda-carrageenan ingredient give consumers a new option."
freiheit@heraldcorp.com
