According to the researchers, the time needed to carry out trials to get approvals is too long given the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic. They argue herbs are part and partial of the African lifestyle and are safe.
Professor Patrick Ogwang, the head of Pharmacy at Mbarara University of Science and Technology and the mastermind of Covidex is the proprietor of Jena Herbals Uganda Limited. The applicants also argue that the decision authorizing Jena Herbals Uganda Limited to produce sell and distribute Covidex is prejudicial to public interests and the taxpayers.
The petitioners now want a declaration that the Covidex drug is a proprietary patent for the government of Uganda, having been developed on government funds, premises, laboratories and by government public servants paid salaries from the consolidated fund
The move follows the increase in prices of the drug. Prior to yesterday's approval of the product by the National Drug Authority, the drug was being sold on the open market for an average of 10,000. Shillings. But this price went up fivefold, selling for as much as 50,000 Shillings as the demand went up across the country.
Dr David Nahamya, the Secretary NDA now says that the herbal drug is safe following an assessment of the drug and inspections of the production facilities.
