The National Drug Authority (NDA) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) Vice Chancellor – Prof Celestino Obua have today released statements in reaction to a claim by one of the varsity’s senior lecturers, Prof. Patrick Engeu Ogwang who came out recently stating that he had invented a herbal cure for COVID-19.
According to a statement dated June 14 from the NDA, the drug in question has not undertaken the rightful assessment, approval and neither has the authority received application of the drug from the innovator.
“NDA informs the public that it has not undertaken any assessment or approved COVIDEX, neither has it received any application from the innovator of the COVIDEX as required by NDA and Act cap 206. NDA has authorized a number of products from Jena Herbals Ltd and they are aware of the processes with regard to drug development, clinical trials, authorization, drug promotion and licensing before production and sell of herbal medicine” the statement from NDA reads in part.
The statement was issued after the Authority held a meeting with Jena Herbals Limted which was led by Prof. Patrick Ogwang in which the two resolved to have the drug taken through the necessary processes.
The University’s VC Prof Obua, in his statement, said that the COVIDEX drug was leaked to the market before it went through the rightful certification process.
“..Unfortunately, the product was leaked to the market before going through the required procedures. As MUST we value the safety of the population and wish to follow the right procedures guided by the National Regulatory and Certification bodies in the country” Prof Obua said in a statement.
“We therefore would like to request the genral public to be patient and allow this product undergo all necessary procedures before it can be put on the market” He added.
The Vice Chancellor however, sounded a very strong warning to Jena Herbal Limited – against distribution and sale of the COVIDEX without permission from MUST, who are the Intellectual Property holder of the product.
The Inventor; Prof Ogwang Speaks Out
Following a resolution with the NDA, pharmacologist and Professor of Pharmacy at MUST – Prof Ogwang issued a statement on the matter saying that the COVIDEX is still a research product which requires more proof that it works against COVID-19.
Prof Ogwang noted that clinical trials on the drug have not yet been done due to funding limitations. The professor also noted that he held talks with President Museveni in support of the development of the COVIDEX herbal drug.
“I have linked up with the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda and other scientists at Makerere University to carry out clinical trials so that we may know whether it (COVIDEX) is beneficial or not” Prof Ogwang said in a statement.
“Once again I inform the public that COVIDEX has only undergone laboratory tests and had only been used by a few people to relieve symptoms of the disease and these people also used other medicines to manage COVID-19. Currently there is no confirmed cure of COVID-19” he said, in conclusion of the statement.
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