Health

FG Reveals Herbal Medicines For Diabetes, Sickle Cell, Others

Published

10 months ago

Mar 11, 2024.

Eko Hot Blog reports that The Federal Government has unveiled four herbal medicine products developed by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency for the management of diabetes and sickle cell disease.

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Some are designed to address upper respiratory tract infections and slow down the aging process.

The Minister of Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, unveiled the products during an official visit to NNMDA in Lagos, recently.

Affirming the federal government’s commitment to invest in natural medicine, Nnaji stated that the herbal products are intended to act as alternatives to foreign drugs, addressing the escalating costs of pharmaceuticals in the country.

The minister said, “I am happy to have verified so many products they have developed. They have those that treat arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension, including the four products that I launched this afternoon.

“This is part of the reason why I am here to launch the four products.

“The drugs are foreign substitutes. You have one for diabetes, you have the one for aging, you have the one for sickle cell, and then the one for upper respiratory tract infection that will replace Augmentin. We should be celebrating.’’

Nnaji revealed the Federal Government’s intention to establish an innovation fund dedicated to research and development, aiming to provide support for research institutions. Emphasizing the pivotal role of research in development, he highlighted its significance.

The Director-General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, emphasized the need for Nigerians to reduce reliance on imported drugs for their healthcare requirements in his remarks.

Emeje, a professor of Pharmacy, said Nigeria could develop herbal medicines to cure many diseases that appear incurable through orthodox medicines.

The NNMDA DG said, “We can do it. Nobody should make it look like it’s a big deal to do these things. The minister unveiled four products that we started looking at four months ago.

“The products are for upper respiratory tract infection, diabetes, aging, and sickle cell.

“We should value local drug manufacturing and stop being dependent on foreign drugs. We should value research.

“By October 2024, the agency will have 11 products that will be unveiled by the President which will create over two million jobs.

“The private sector should provide resources for research and development. Studies have shown that the herbal industry alone will be worth $5tn by 2050.”