The National Drug Authority (NDA) has expressed alarm regarding a herbal medicine produced by Eloipharm (U) Ltd, a company based in Kampala. In an interview with our publication, NDA spokesperson Mr Abiaz Rwamwiri accused Eloipharm of prematurely releasing the product and disseminating information about it prior to obtaining approval.
Mr Abiaz stated that the authority had rejected the initial name of the product and the claims made by the manufacturer when they were presented for review. However, the rejected information is still circulating on social media platforms.
“The main issue lies in the product being introduced to the market before receiving approval, which creates confusion for the public after regulation,” said Mr Rwamwiri.
He further added, “The manufacturer made exaggerated assertions that the product can treat erectile dysfunction and increase water content in women, which are unfounded claims. Therefore, we revised it to state that the product helps enhance male and female vitality.”
The product, known as “Elo-EnjoY” in the NDA register of approved local traditional herbal medicines as of May 2023, differs from the manufacturer’s proposed name, “Elo-Enjoy.”
Responding to the name change, Dr Stephen Lutoti, the maker of the product, dismissed it as a trivial issue, emphasizing that the focus should be on the product’s ingredients and safety.
Mr Rwamwiri highlighted that even for approved products, the NDA regulates advertising, requiring manufacturers to obtain prior clearance. However, Dr Lutoti argued that they intend to inform clients about the product’s functionality, similar to the approach taken with synthetic drugs.
The NDA has been grappling with unapproved, counterfeit, and adulterated herbal medicines, as well as synthetic drugs, as some businesspeople prioritize maximizing sales. Counterfeit and adulterated herbal medicines, particularly those associated with fertility, have been prevalent in the market.
In the past, the NDA suspended the production and distribution of alcoholic products sold under the brand name “Stronger Weekend” due to their viagra content. In 2021, the NDA also detected and banned M-Magix coffee, which contained the erectile dysfunction drug sildenafil citrate.
Dr James William Tamale, the NDA’s head of regional offices, explained that the production of such adulterated products stems from market demands. He stressed that regulatory agencies have a responsibility to fulfill their roles in mitigating such dangers and enforcing the law.
