Varsity Dons, lawmaker, others advocate adequate funding for development of plant-derived drugs

Prof. (Mrs.) Taye Fashola, University of Ibadan, and scores of other professionals in the areas of plant sciences, pharmacognosy, African indigenous medicine, and indigenous knowledge have identified inadequate findings and overreliance on orthodox medicine as factors militating against the development of traditional medicine in the African region.

The relevant stakeholders made the observation at the 2023 African Traditional Medicine Day, themed Traditional Medicine in Africa: Progress Towards Achieving Sustainable Health and Economic Development in Africa, organised by the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, on Thursday.

They stressed the need for adequate funding for research and development of plant-derived drugs to treat and manage some ailments in Nigeria and other African countries instead of over-reliance on orthodox drugs.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Ethnobotanical Research: Panacea to Economic Development and Solution, Professor Fashola noted that the enormous economic resources derivable from ethnobotany and ethnomedicine are yet to be fully harnessed.

She submitted, “It is an unimpeachable fact that ethnobotanical research is a contributor to economic developments and wellness in Nigeria and other parts of the world. Despite this, it is sad to note that enormous economic resources derivable from ethnobotany and ethnomedicine in particular are yet to be fully harnessed.

“Hundreds of scientific publications validating the claims for medicinal utilisation of plants by the indigenous people are available in various universities and research institutes in Nigeria and other African countries.

“The research findings constitute major sources for developing new drugs. Against this backdrop, Nigeria and other African countries are enjoined to urgently and adequately fund the development of plant-derived drugs to enhance economic growth. As the global market value for herbal medicine continues to rise to billions of dollars in recent decades, Africa cannot afford to remain indolent.

“The clarion call is that, given the increasing loss of plant biodiversity occasioned by forest degradation and climate change, the time to act positively is now. There may never be a better time. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, Senate Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South in the National Assembly, who spoke on behalf of himself, and the Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Yunus Akintunde, representing Oyo Central, promised that the Senate Committee on Environment would provide the necessary legislative backing for traditional medicine practitioners in the Country.

According to him, “We have promised that we are going to ensure that they get the necessary support to support research and forestry generally. There should be synergy between the practitioners of traditional medicine and orthodox medicine.

“There is a need for more research on why some herbal medicines were potent in the past and are no longer potent these days. What has changed? Research should also be done on the causes and symptoms of ailments before prescriptions are made.”

The Chairman of the event and the President, Ibadan Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Bamidele Samson, said, “My message is that we should place enormous importance and value on what we have. The African traditional religion practitioners place value on herbs, and they are working for them.

“The Christians value the Bible, and their prayers are answered. The Muslims value the Quran, and their prayers are answered. Yoruba does not value Yoruba again. They don’t value our language. They heard but did not understand. They told them, and they did not accept, which led us to where we are today. We should value what we have.”

The Director-General, FRIN, Prof Zacharia Yaduma, who was represented at the programme by Prof Akinyemi Oladapo, also said FRIN has eight research departments, five non-research departments, 17 outstations, and seven colleges, all spread across the geo-political and ecological zones of Nigeria, with mandates to broadly research into all aspects of forestry, extend research technologies to end-users and train middle-level manpower for the development and growth of forestry
in Nigeria.

“I welcome you all to this year’s programme to mark African Traditional Medicine Day. This is the best time to have a robust discussion on indigenous medicine, considering emerging diseases all over the world and the negative attitude of Africans towards Traditional medicine.

“In line with the Chiang Mai Declaration in 1998, which in part drew the attention of the United Nations, its agencies and member states, and International and Non-government agencies to the importance of
medicinal plants, FRIN established the Biomedicinal Research Centre in 2015. Similarly, an herbal garden was also established in the same year for both the conservation of medicinal plants and the production of herbal medicines. The FRIN herbal garden currently has over 528 different indigenous and exotic species of medicinal plants, which appear as trees, shrubs, herbs, lianas, or vines.

“Recently, FRIN developed a poly-herbal Mixture and remedy for the management of the novel COVID-19-related ailments and immune booster named ‘FRINC. TONE’. This herbal product has officially been certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) with the issuance of a registration number for the commencement of post-marketing surveillance and general usage.

“Commendably, FRIN is the first Institution in Nigeria to be granted this certification by NAFDAC for its COVID-19-related herbal product.

Other preventive measures against COVID-19 developed in the Institute include the production of herbal-based hand sanitiser to help tackle the spread of the disease, which is in line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard Presently, many products of herbal medicine are now produced at the FRIN Biomedicinal Centre, and they are displayed at the exhibition stand outside the hall.

“The programme will no doubt further strengthen the existing collaborations between universities, agencies and others involved in the production and standardisation of medicinal plants, research and development, nationally and internationally.”

The convener of the programme, Dr. Ibrahim Lawal, who is the Director, Biomedical Research Centre, FRIN, said: “You can’t take African traditional medicine out of the African culture. This programme was conceptualised in 2012 by the region of the World Health Organisation that we should pick a date, which is August 31st, to celebrate traditional medicine in Africa.

“We need to let the whole world and Africa know that traditional medicine in Africa is still intact. It is still something we need to reckon with because it has so many efficacious properties that can treat and manage so many ailments. People have realised that a lot of people have some side effects from orthodox drugs or Western medicine. As I am speaking to you, 80 per cent of the world’s population relies on herbal medicine.”

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

‘We want to go back to school’: Untold story of out-of-school kids in Ibadan

One of the kids who spoke to our reporter, Saheed Abiodun, ran away from home to look for succour in…

How I broke record, made history at Russian varsity —Somadila Igboanugo, First Class medicine graduate

Somadila Igboanugo is a medical graduate and a blogger. She recently graduated with a First Class with…

Bride slumps, dies on wedding day in Oyo

A bride, identified as Rebecca Oyedotun, slumped and died on her wedding day in…

Pastor commits suicide over failed love in Nnewi

A man identified as Prosper Obum Igboke, a pastor of a pentecostal church, has committed suicide in…

Cartels, cabals working against success of Power sector, but… — Adelabu

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has disclosed that there is overbearing influence of cartels and cabals in…

I want to start having babies, don’t want to play football forever — Super Falcons Star

Super Falcons forward, Francisca Ordega, has hinted at a possible quit from professional football before…