The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reiterated the need for funding to conduct clinical trials on herbal medicines in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of scientific validation to ensure their safety, quality, and efficacy.
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of NAFDAC, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). She noted that while herbal medicines have demonstrated potential as effective treatments, rigorous clinical trials are necessary to address safety concerns and standardize usage.
“NAFDAC aims to provide scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines,” Adeyeye said. “This will not only protect public health but also promote the development of herbal medicine in Nigeria.”
Highlighting the challenges, Adeyeye stated that the high cost of conducting clinical trials remains a significant obstacle. She appealed for financial support from both the government and private sector to facilitate the process.
“In Nigeria, clinical trials are very expensive,” she explained. “Without support from the government or private institutions, it will be difficult to test herbal medicines comprehensively. We have thousands of herbal products in our database that are yet to go through clinical trials.”
The NAFDAC boss acknowledged the widespread use of herbal remedies in Nigeria, citing her own childhood experiences with “Agbo” (traditional herbal mixtures). While recognizing their effectiveness, she stressed the importance of understanding potential toxic components and determining appropriate dosages to avoid complications.
“We don’t know the toxic components and the exact quantity that should be taken,” she said. “That is why clinical trials and extensive research are necessary before any herbal medicine can be approved for public use.”
Adeyeye revealed that the agency is actively seeking grants and financial support to kickstart the clinical trials. She confirmed discussions with the National Assembly, which has pledged to support NAFDAC’s efforts in this regard.
“Part of what we are trying to do now is to secure grants,” she stated. “If we can get five herbal medicines approved in our national formulary, it will be a significant achievement.”
NAFDAC, according to Adeyeye, is among the few regulatory bodies globally with a structured framework for approving herbal medicines. The agency’s commitment to scientific validation underscores its dedication to advancing public health and enhancing Nigeria’s growing herbal medicine industry.
With increasing global interest in alternative and traditional medicine, NAFDAC’s efforts could position Nigeria as a key player in the development and exportation of safe and effective herbal remedies.
