Coronavirus: 40 herbal medicines undergoing review as possible cure – NAFDAC DG

The National Agency for foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adedyeye has revealed that the agency is currently reviewing 40 herbal drugs as possible cure for the novel coronavirus.

Adeyeye made this known in a statement to newsmen. According to her, the herbal drugs are undergoing review to ensure their safety for use, noting that the drugs could be deadly if not properly reviewed.

She warned that coronavirus still doesn't have a cure.

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 labeling 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."

Recall that Mrs. Christianah Mojisola Adeyeye told reporters, Wednesday 26th August, 2020 that research carried out by NAFDAC shows that the drug is capable of tackling the virus at the early stages.

NAFDAC's position on the cure of coronavirus is contrary to the World Health Organisation, who has cautioned governments against the use of chloroquine as an alternative to cure the infection.

Adeyeye said that the agency discovered that chloroquine is effective in fighting Covid-19 as it was used to treat over 100 patients in about 10 hospitals in China.

She further added that the drug has been used to treat many patients of Covid-19 in African countries including Ghana and Senegal.