South West herbal products raise hope for cancer, hepatitis B treatment
By Samuel Ogunsona
The Federal Government endorsed seven new herbal medicines developed from medicinal plants for the treatment of cancer, hepatitis B, peptic ulcer and other life threatening ailments.
The medicinal plants were cultivated in the South West, in a move to boost home-grown healthcare solutions.
The products, unveiled by the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency in Lagos are targeted at prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, peptic ulcer, hypertension, high cholesterol and hepatitis B.
Irohinoodua monitored the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, who presented the medicines during a visit to NNMDA, praised the agency for converting local plant resources into modern dosage forms like capsules, tablets and syrups.
“We are going to move immediately and innovatively after this unveiling to establish the Clinical Observational Research Centre without waiting for funding from the 2027 budget,” Udeh said.
He added that Nigeria has the capacity to produce and export natural medicines worth billions of dollars.
NNMDA Director-General, Prof. Martins Emeje, said the new drugs were part of more than 22 herbal products developed since 2023 from plants sourced locally. He noted that research and cultivation of medicinal plants in the South West played a key role in producing the latest batch.
“The efficacy of herbal medicine was no longer in doubt, stressing that standardisation now ensured proper dosage,” Emeje said.
The FG said the initiative will also address other conditions common in the region such as malaria, diabetes, sickle cell and erectile dysfunction.
