The Guardian
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has called for more support and funding for herbal medicine.
The call was made in a statement signed by the Director-General (DG) of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, which was obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
The statement said that the DG made the call at an inaugural symposium and launching of the Africa Centre of Excellence for Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS) at the University of Lagos.
Its theme was “Drug Development from African Medicinal Plants: Opportunities, Challenges and Regulatory Approach”.
Adeyeye said that the support for research by way of funding and development of herbal medicine would help to meet the desire for universal health coverage for all.
Adeyeye said that investment in herbal medicine research and development would positively impact the economy of the pharmaceutical and traditional medicine industry.
According to her, herbal medicines are very important to healthcare delivery and can contribute significantly to universal health coverage in the country.
“Despite the widespread use, traditional medicines have not yet been integrated into the national healthcare system of many developing countries, including Nigeria.
“The increasing use of herbal medicine despite general lack of research on some of these products is a call for concern.
“Investment in herbal medicine research and development is needed from all stakeholders, including the government, so we can benefit from whatever God has given to us freely,” she said.
Adeyeye said that ACEDHARS is very important to Nigeria because of the focus on the development of herbal medicine for the use of the people.
The DG said that the centre would function to ensure that adequate research was conducted and clinical trials done on herbal products before usage.
According to her, some herbal medicines get to the market without adequate research and clinical trials to confirm their safety and efficacy.
Adeyeye advised herbal medicine practitioners to take advantage of the centre to increase their…
