Drug authorities from a number of African countries have started making inquiries about Covidex efficacy and expressing interest in importing Uganda’s herbal drug as a supportive treatment for Covid-19.
Prof Patrick Ogwang, the innovator of the herbal drug, said yesterday while addressing journalists at St John’s Church Kamwokya.
According to him, national drug regulators of Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda and some Southern Africa countries have sent him forms requesting for more information about the efficacy of the herbal medicine.
Prof Ogwanga secured approval from the Uganda’s drug regulator National Drug Authority (NDA) to manufacture Covidex.
He also secured 5 acres of land to build a factory to manufacture the drug at the Soroti Industrial Park and a 10-year tax holiday from government,
“I am also hearing stories that the drug is in DR Congo, that it has reached [the United Kingdom] UK where someone who was doing badly has recovered. I do not have evidence about that but the official communication I have is that Kenya and Rwanda have sent requests for more information about the drug and I have sent the information to their [national] drug authorities,” he said.
Prof Ogwang added that he had received similar requests from Zambia, Zimbabwe and other Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries.
“Covidex has had an impact, that is why you are not hearing [sirens of] ambulances in the neighborhood anymore because it has reduced stress on hospital beds, and people are no longer selling property to foot medical bills,” he said.
It should be noted that on Wednesday this week, Prof Ogwang and his wife, Dr Lillian Ogwang, also made a food donation to 300 residents of Kamwokya slum in Kampala to people wiped out by the lockdown.