Mbarara University speaks out as NDA denies clearing Covidex for use
The National Drug Authority has said they are yet to clear Covidex drug that has been said to cure the deadly Coronavirus.
Social media has been awash with comments by users saying the herbal medicine manufactured by scientists at Pharmbiotrac based at Mbarara University treat Covid.
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However, many other social media commentators have questioned the authenticity of the said herbal medicine.
In a statement released on Monday, the National Drug Authority said whereas there is promotion and sale of the medicine that prevents and cures Coronavirus, it has never been cleared.
“NDA informs the public that it has not taken any assessment or approved Covidex, neither has it received any application from the innovator of the Covidex as required by National Drug Policy and Act cap 206,”NDA said in a statement.
National Drug Authority warned the public against the use of unauthorized products which have flooded the market.
“To avoid getting or spreading Covid-19, NDA reminds the public to always wear a mask, wash hands with soap and water or sanitize and maintain social distance.”
Mbarara University speaks out
The development comes at a time when Mbarara University of Science and Technology cleared the air about the herbal medicine.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the university said they host the Pham Biotechnology and Traditional Mediciane Centre(PHARMBIOTRAC) one of the Eastern and Southern Africa Higher Education Centre for Excellence in Uganda that is fully sponsored by government to help support the development of herbal products in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
Mbarara University said it is through this arrangement that they were able to come up with Covidex.
“The product was considered an excellent potential herbal medicine and we were advised to go ahead and follow the normal procedures of approval according to the procedures on drug development and production in Uganda,”Mbarara University said.
The university however insisted that the product has never been put on the market for sale since it has never been approved.
“Unfortunately, the product was leaked to the market before going through all the required procedures. At MUST we value the safety of the population and wish to follow the right procedures guided by the national regulatory and certification bodies including NDA and UNBS in the country.”
Mbarara University insisted they will have to wait for approval from National Drug Authority and UNBS before putting on market the herbal medicine.
“We would therefore like to request the general public to be patient and allow this product to undergo all the necessary procedures including laboratory tests, animal tests, clinical trials, production agreements, certification, registration and licensing before the product can be put on the market for sale.”
