The Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation has invited Gulu University Scientist Dr Alice Veronica Lamwaka to make arrangements for the clinical trials of Covilyce-1, a supportive herbal treatment for COVID-19.
Covilyce-1 was invented by scientists at the Gulu University Faculty of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Studies (Pharm-Biotech) headed by Dr Lamwaka last year. They say that the herbal concoction which is in form of powder, nasal drops, (anal) suppositories, and (syrup) linctus clears COVID-19 within 72 hours of being administered.
Gulu University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Openjuru Ladaah confirmed the development in an interview with Uganda Radio Network-URN on Thursday. He said the University was notified by Dr Lamwaka who received the communication from the Ministry about a week ago.
Prof. Openjuru noted that Dr Lamwaka is expected to go through the ethical clearance under the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) before getting approval to commence the trial of covilyce-1. He adds that once the clinical trial protocol has been approved and funding disbursed by the government, the clinical trials for the herbal concoction will commence on selected volunteers from Gulu Regional Referral Hospital in Gulu City.
In July last year, President Museveni authorized 3.7 billion Shillings funding to boost the covilyce-1 research. But Prof. Openjuru says the money hasn’t yet been availed to the University. He however notes that with the government showing commitment towards seeing the commencement of the clinical trials for the medicine, he is hopeful that the fund will be available soon.
James Ojok Onono, the Gulu University Deputy Public Relations Officer says the delayed disbursement of funds greatly affected research of the herbal COVID-19 medicine for the past months. He says the fund is expected to aid in setting up modern Laboratory equipment for the large-scale production of covilyce-1, facilitating researchers and clinical trials exercises among others.
Efforts to get comments from Dr Lamwaka were futile as she didn’t pick up our reporter’s repeated calls on her known mobile phone number.
Last year, the National Drug Authority (NDA) approved the production of Covilyce-1 as one of the supportive treatments for COVID-19. According to the world Health Organisation-WHO, Clinical trials refer to a type of research that studies new tests and treatments and evaluates their effects on human health outcomes.
Under the National Drug Policy and Authority Act 1993, (Ch 206), National Drug Authority-NDA is responsible for granting permission for clinical trials. In addition to obtaining the NDA’s permission to conduct clinical trial research, an applicant is also mandated to obtain approval in the form of a research permit from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST).
