The National Drug Authority (NDA) has finally cleared and approved the use of COVIDEX herbal medicine as a supporting treatment for viral infections, including Covid-19.
This was announced on Tuesday by the NDA executive director, Mr. David Nahamya while addressing journalists at the media center in Kampala. Nahamya said that after various assessment and inspection of the factory manufacturing the herbal medicine, they have approved its use to treat the viral infections.
“NDA has granted Covidex an approval based on initial assessment, published literature, and safety studies by the innovator. The product has been formulated from herbal plants that have traditionally been used to alleviate symptoms of several diseases,” Nahamya said.
However, he stressed that the medicine does not cure Covid-19 but it can supplement the medicine being used by medics to treat Covid-19 patients.
“The product should be used under the guidance of a professional health worker,” NDA said.
Covidex is a herbal medicine developed by Mbarara University scientist, Prof Patrick Ogwang.
NDA had on June 14, asked the manufacturer of the drug to cease sales citing safety concerns because the medicine had not yet been approved.
On Sunday, President Museveni said there should be increased research in traditional medicine, especially in Africa since most people use such herbs for treatment.
He also mentioned Asia and Latin America where most of the population uses traditional medicine to meet some of their primary health care needs.
“Research into traditional medicine is particularly important in Africa in making good use of our natural and richly endowed environment. In Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine for primary health care. The age-old cures that kept our forefathers disease-free must be given enough attention so that we improve on them and preserve their use,” he said.
According to Museveni, the government remains committed to funding research and innovations by scientists especially those in the universities.
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