SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS could be underway, for the discovery of herbal products for the management of COVID-19 in Nigeria. Anambra State government, through its Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice agency, said it has identified six herbal drugs that could be used to manage the novel coronavirus. The herbal products have been forwarded to National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.
Oyeyekachukwu Ibezim, Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano of Nigeria’s Anambra south-eastern State, on Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice, Tuesday, said a team of medical experts were assembled to review the process, before decision was taken to forward the products to NAFDAC for final confirmation and approval for public consumption. The products are in capsule, powdered and liquid forms.
“We have a team of medical experts in all areas of medicines who are saddled with the responsibility of reviewing herbal products in the state before they would be made public for use. We will give approval if the products fits our standard. We do not discriminate, the government has provided a friendly environment for business to thrive for all genuine herbal practitioners despite their states of origin,” Ibezim said.
And added that: “Anambra Traditional Medicine Board has been assigned the responsibility of properly analysing herbal products in the state and declare them fit for use by the public or otherwise before they are pushed out; all practitioners are advised to comply”.
He said unauthorized herbal products, peddled by some practitioners in the state, would be clamped down by government. And Anambra state government had provided enough support for the Agency to ensure that fake herbal products are wiped out from circulation
He said that the state government had provided enough support for the Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice agency, to ensure fake herbal products are wiped out from circulation. The agency had achieved some results and desirous to consolidate on past successes.
“All our success is attributed to Gov. Obiano’s interest in providing total health for the residents of Anambra.” He commended the governor for supporting Indigenous Medicine and Herbal Practice. And advised herbal practitioners in the state, who peddle various types of herbal products, without seeking approval from the agency to desist forthwith.
