Government approves Covidex as supportive Covid-19 treatment medicine

By Charles Katabalwa

29^th June 2021

The National drug authority (NDA) has approved Covidex, an herbal medicine as a supportive treatment in management of viral infections but not as a cure of Covid-19.

It’s remembered that, on June 14th 2021, NDA released a statement notifying the public that it had not authorized production, sell and use of Covidex which is manufactured by Mbarara University scientists led by Professor Patrick Ogwang under Jena herbals Uganda limited.

Speaking to the journalists this Tuesday at Uganda Media center Kampala, Dr David Nahamya, the NDA Secretary said that they engaged with innovators and an application for notification was submitted on June 15th, initial assessments were scientifically done and a response with further guidance was sent to the innovators within three days.

Nahamya adds that, NDA received the answers on June 27th and a comprehensive assessment was undertaken including an inspection of the factory to assess compliance with good manufacturing practices to ensure that the product is of good quality, safe and efficacious.

He says, after the engagements, innovators have removed unsubstantiated claims that the product treats and prevent Covid-19 and revised it to supportive treatment in management of viral infections.

He adds that, NDA has authorized over 190 domestic herbal products and provided technical support through over 70 inspections of local herbal medicines manufacturers, however, he advised all innovators and manufacturers whose products have not been notified to engage with the authority team for assistance to have their products assessed.