40 Herbal Medicines Undergoing Review As Possible Coronavirus Cure – NAFDAC DG

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye

NAFDAC says it has received about 40 applications for the approval of herbal formulations for the treatment of COVID-19 from researchers in the country.

Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the  DG of the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has stated that 40 herbal drugs are currently undergoing a review as possible Coronavirus cure.

Adeyeye who disclosed that the herbal drugs are undergoing review to ensure their safety for use, averred that if the herbal drugs are not properly reviewed it could kill fast.

She noted that there is still no cure for Coronavirus and also warned against claims affirming such.

The NAFDAC DG Said; “In March 2019, we inaugurated the Nigerian Herbal Medicine Product Committee (HMPC) to bridge the gap often created between traditional medicine practitioners and researchers.

“COVID-19 pandemic created an opportunity and we have been encouraging traditional medicine practitioners to submit their herbal formulations for evaluation.

“We also developed guidelines on how to register herbal medicine online and the labelling of the product.

“Prof. Maurice Iwu’s application for approval of a herbal medicine for management of COVID-19, is also part of the 40 applications we are reviewing for safety.

“We use animal for safety test to ensure the formulation will not kill anybody.

“Until a clinical trial is done in a scientific manner, no herbal medicine manufacturer can claim cure or effectiveness to treat COVID-19 associated symptoms.

“I believe that Nigeria’s herbal medicines may be able to cure COVID-19.

“They have a lot of potential and it is time to translate research of herbs into products of proven safety and efficacy, for the benefit of our people."