NAFDAC seeks support for clinical trials on herbal medicines

Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has called for support to facilitate clinical trials on herbal medicines in Nigeria.

Adeyeye made the appeal during an interview with the press on Friday in Lagos.

She explained that the push for financial stability was part of NAFDAC’s strategic plan to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of herbal products in the country.

By conducting clinical trials on herbal medicines, NAFDAC aims to provide scientific evidence of their safety and efficacy, which is crucial for protecting public health and promoting the development of herbal medicine in Nigeria.

“Herbal medicines are effective, but we cannot approve their usage without conducting clinical trials,” Adeyeye told the press.

She emphasized that the cost of conducting these trials is substantial, making external support critical for NAFDAC to conduct research on herbal drugs that could help address some of Nigeria’s health challenges.

Adeyeye highlighted that NAFDAC is one of the few regulatory bodies worldwide with a structured approach to approving herbal medicines.

However, she acknowledged the financial barriers, noting that without government or private institutional support, conducting clinical trials for herbal medicines would be difficult.

“We have thousands of herbal products in our database that are yet to go through clinical trials.

I was raised with Agbo (herbal medicine), and I know it works, but some people have experienced complications.

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We need to understand the toxic components and the correct dosages, which is why clinical trials and research are essential before approving any herbal medicine for use,” she said.

The NAFDAC boss assured that clinical trials would begin as soon as funding or grants are secured.

She revealed that discussions have already taken place with the National Assembly, which has pledged to support the initiative.

Adeyeye stressed that initiating clinical trials for herbal medicines would be a significant achievement for Nigeria. “If we can get five herbal medicines in our national formulary, we will have achieved a lot,” she stated.

This approach recognizes both the challenges involved in conducting clinical trials and the potential benefits of validating the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines for public use.