War over ownership of Covidex has broken out
Well, the drug was made by Mbarara University scientists led by Prof Patrick Ogwang, and later on it filled up drug stores and sold out so quickly and in large quantities.
However, on June 14, both the National Drug Authority (NDA) and Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) issued statements banning the use of the drug. That was after the beginning of ownership fight.
Each of the small 20mls bottle was being snatched up at between sh20,000 and sh30,000, but soon after the ban, the prices soared to sh50,000. Covidex was being touted as both curative and preventive treatment for Covid-19.
Currently, lucky buyers can only secure supplies by contacting someone who knows another who had bought off some good quantities of the drugs.
But lists of drug stores in Kampala, Entebbe, Wakiso and Mukono stocking the throat and nasal drops are being widely shared on social media.
Quick supplies of the drug upcountry also still continues. But as the quick-fix drug became more popular, NDA, MUST, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda, were drawn into a fight over production and sale of Covidex.
NDA was the first to move, stopping the drug outright on June 14, with the national drugs regulator saying it had not yet approved the Covidex herbal medicine.
It warned the public “against use of products [including Covidex] on the markets purporting to treat Covid-19 that are not authorised by NDA.”
Then followed Mbarara University through Vice Chancellor, Prof Celestino Obua, who issued the statement, terming as “illegal production, distribution, and sale of Covidex.”
The university claimed the drug was its own, and not of Dr Ogwang. It said “the product was leaked to the market before going through all the required procedures.”
The university then asked the public “to be patient and allow this product undergo all necessary procedures ….lab tests, animal tests, clinical trials, production agreements, certification, registration and licensing before it can be put on the market for sale.”
The university said it had absolute rights over Covidex and warned that no one should deal with anyone, except the university, regarding the drug.
Finally, the university warned Jena Herbals Ltd “to stop any production, distribution or sale of Covidex without permission of Mbarara University.
Prof Ogwang is the proprietor of Jena Herbals Uganda Ltd.
Perhaps bowing to pressure, Prof Ogwang, on the same day, wrote that he had met with NDA and “agreed that no treatment claims be made on [Covidex] until the clinical trials results are obtained. NDA also advised me to change the product name to avoid using a word related [to] ‘Covid’, and I have taken their advice positively.”
But the Pharmaceutical Society of Uganda were clear that Covidex was being developed by Dr Ogwang in the management of Covid-19.
It said “efforts by Prof Ogwang to develop Covidex for the management of Covid-19 need to be applauded considering that no proven cure for Covid-19 has yet been established globally.”
The society praised Prof Ogwang as a renowned researcher in herbal medicine, who has served them with distinction, both as treasurer and president.
Dr Grace Nambatya, the head of research at Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Laboratory (NCRL) of Ministry of Health, who is also an NDA board member for herbal medicines, says complains about suppression from major pharmaceutical companies are only excuses.
She says Prof Ogwang receives support from both the government and World Bank to do his research on herbal medicine.