The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has unveiled four drugs made by the Nigerian National Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNNMDA).
The drugs were Namdune (200mg) meant for Anti-ageing, Namdasan (200mg) for anti-sickling, Aberecin (200mg) for anti-diabetes and Nanobere (50kg).
The minister, who lauded the efforts of the agency for carrying out research to produce drugs, revealed the moves of the federal government to establish funds for research and development.
“So, if we have a research and development fund, most of these things are going to be addressed. That is on one hand. When I came in as a minister, I insisted that my key areas of research and development are to commercialize what we have on the shelves, the developments, and the research we have on the shelf.
“This is the kind of innovation, the kind of science we are talking about in science and tech and this is why our President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu said that science remains the key to nation building,” he said.
The agency’s director, General Martins Emeje, appreciated the federal government’s plans to establish a research and development fund, urging the federal government to ensure the application of proposals before researchers can access the fund.
“I am happy that this government is talking about research funds. In my opinion, when the government launches it, they should put money there and not give it to anybody.
