NAFDAC Calls For More Support For Herbal Medicine Development

“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 knowledge in the practice, saying that herbal practitioners must have continued education, even where they had it before.

She said that the centre would be of immense benefit to those who don’t have knowledge in the practice which would as well expand their horizon.

She also called on those who don’t have the knowledge to embrace the programme in order to acquire basic education requirements to practice.

The statement also quoted Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, as saying said that there is the need to tap into the indigenous knowledge of herbal practitioners. Ogundipe was represented at the event by Prof. Obinna Chukwu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services.

Ogundipe described the symposium as timely in examining the challenges, opportunities as well as regulatory approach for drug development from Africa medicinal plants.