By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The National Drug Authority (NDA) public relations officer Mr Abiaz Rwamwiri has urged people taking up the recently approved Covidex to do so after seeking advice from a professional medical worker to ensure they know what they are treating.
“The advise we gave is that this is supportive treatment. It should be administered on the advice of a professional medical worker just like any other drug. If there was weak evidence, we wouldn’t have approved this herbal medicine” he said.
“As we talk now, Covidex is supportive treatment. It can make wonders for people but the wonders relate to alleviating symptoms of viral infections” He added.
Rwamwiri made the remarks while appearing on NBS TV a local television station in Uganda on sometime in the month of July 2021.
Rwamwiri said the research carried out by NDA on COVIDEX shows it can safely be used alongside other treatments to alleviate symptoms of viral infections.
“COVIDEX is at its initial stage and can’t claim to treat any disease. We are however convinced that it alleviates symptoms of viral infections. NDA has been working with other herbal medicine manufacturers not only Covidex. Covidex has just come at a time that’s difficult for all of us” he said.
Rwamwiri said NDA carried out an anaylsis of the scientific report given by the manufacturers of Covidex to verify claims that the drug could treat Covid 19 before it could be allowed on the market.
“When someone comes up with a drug, we expect that they have done studies showing that the drug can treat something. We expect them to come up with a scientific report from their lab. After the analysis, we raised queries to the innovator especially claims that it can treat and prevent COVID19. These claims have since been removed” he said.
“As NDA, our work is not driven by emotions. We are duty-bound to protect the life of Ugandans. There’s no way we can approve any drug based on rumors. No amount of influence will force NDA to put a drug on the market that’s not safe” he added.
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