The Uganda National Drugs Authority has today on June 29, 2021 approved the use of COVIDEX, a locally made herbal medicine that treats COVID-19.

The proprietor of the medicine Prof Patrick Ogwang applied for the emergence approval of the Covidex vaccine two weeks which has been now approved as a ‘supportive treatment’ for COVID-19.

Various testimonies have been given by COVID-19 patients who had taken the nasal herbal medicine; describing it as helpful and effective.

“After engagements, the innovators have removed unsubstantiated claims that the product treats and prevents Covid-19 and revised it to supportive treatment in management of viral infections. NDA has granted Covidex an approval based on initial assessment, published literature and safety studies conducted by the innovator,” Mr David Nahamya the NDA executive director announced.

NDA emphasized the drug has been approved as a ‘Supportive treatment’ but not as ‘a cure’ of COVID-19.

“National Drugs Authority (NDA) informs the public that after a record time of 14 days of engagements with the innovators and assessments of the product information, COVIDEX has been notified to be sold in licensed drug outlets for supportive treatments in management of viral infections but not as a cure of COVID-19.” A statement released by NDA read.

NDA says that they visited Jena Herbals Uganda Ltd the manufacturers of COVIDEX, assessed the ‘compliance with good manufacturing practices’ in addition to scientific assessments thus granting the approval of covidex.

NDA further advised the developers of the medicine to do random clinical trials in order to affirm their claim and confirm if the medicine treats COVID-19 effectively.