After days of back and forth engagements between National Drug Authority (NDA) and the developer of COVIDEX, Prof Patrick Ogwang, earlier this week NDA approved the local herbal medicine as a supportive treatment for COVID-19 patients.
NDA spokesperson Abiaz Rwamwiri has disclosed what transpired behind the ‘scenes’ before COVIDEX was approved.
While appearing on NBS Morning Breeze, Rwamwiri said that NDA learnt about Covidex being on the market around 10th-12th June with claims that it was preventing and treating COVID-19.
“We issued a statement on the June 14 saying we hadn’t approved COVIDEX. NDA doesn’t work on emotions or unconfirmed testimonies when dealing with drugs,” said Rwamwiri.
“When someone comes up with a drug; we expect that they have done studies showing that the drug can treat something. We expect them to come up with a scientific report from their lab,” he added.
As NDA, Rwamwiri said that they got in contact with the developer, Prof Ogwang who gave them his scientific report about Covidex and they analysed the published literature on the herbs.
“After the analysis, we raised queries to the innovator especially claims that it can treat and prevent COVID19. These claims have since been removed,” he said before revealing that COVIDEX is at its initial stage and can’t claim to treat any disease.
“We are however convinced that it alleviates symptoms of viral infections,” he said.
COVIDEX, is currently the most selling drug on the market with its prices having escalated from Shs10000 to about Shs80,000 in just a day.