Bisina SomtoThe National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) is taking significant steps to enhance the quality of herbal products, aiming for global recognition and acceptance.
This dedicated effort was underscored in a statement released on September 10, 2023, by NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
In the statement, which was communicated through NAFDAC’s media consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola, the agency’s commitment to improving the standards of herbal medicine products to meet global standards was highlighted, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
Celebrating Traditional Medicine
Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye began her message by celebrating the 2023 International Traditional Medicine Day, observed on August 31. She commended the perseverance of herbal medicine manufacturers in Nigeria and expressed her pride in the development of various herbal formulations.
These formulations have progressed from clinical trials to approval stages under NAFDAC’s vigilant supervision.
NAFDAC’s Roadmap for Quality Enhancement
A key element of NAFDAC’s strategy to raise the quality of herbal products is the formulation of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines specifically tailored for herbal medicine production.
Prof. Adeyeye emphasized that the agency is actively organizing training sessions to familiarize herbal practitioners with these guidelines. These training sessions are essential to ensure that practitioners understand and can adhere to the high standards expected in the production of herbal medicines.
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Following the training, NAFDAC will initiate rigorous inspections of facilities to assess the readiness of herbal practitioners to comply with the GMP guidelines.
This move is vital for standardizing the sector. Prof. Adeyeye stressed that NAFDAC cannot enforce rules on herbal medicine practitioners who have not undergone proper training.
Nationwide Reach and Consequences for Non-Compliance
NAFDAC’s commitment extends nationwide, with plans to disseminate knowledge of the guidelines to over 614 herbal medicine facilities across the country.
The training of stakeholders will commence in Lagos, a city with over 317 herbal medicine facilities. After the training, practitioners will be given a grace period to prepare for inspection visits by NAFDAC personnel.
In a stern warning, Prof. Adeyeye made it clear that any herbal practitioner failing to meet NAFDAC’s standards will face consequences, including facility closure or suspension.
NAFDAC is particularly concerned about hygiene in herbal medicine practices and has urged practitioners to transition from manual capsule filling to semi-automated methods for safety reasons. The agency plans to stop registering companies without the required filling automation by the end of the year.
Supporting Herbal Medicine Development
Recognizing the widespread use of herbal medicine in Nigeria, Prof. Adeyeye revealed that the University of Lagos is establishing a manufacturing facility to assist practitioners who may not have adequate funds for filling automation. This initiative aims to make the necessary equipment and infrastructure more accessible and affordable for herbal medicine manufacturers.
Emphasis on Hygiene and Contamination-Free Production
Prof. Adeyeye concluded by emphasizing the importance of personnel qualifications, clean premises, and proper equipment placement to ensure contamination-free production, aligning with GMP standards. She highlighted that in herbal manufacturing GMP, personnel qualifications are crucial, and the building must meet specific standards to ensure contamination is impossible.
Moreover, Adeyeye expressed optimism about ongoing clinical trials by three herbal product manufacturers and encouraged practitioners to submit pilot study results for evaluation. She stressed the importance of a larger sample size in phase three of clinical trials due to individual variations in drug responses.
Somto is an Entertainment Reporter with a passion for uncovering the latest stories in the world of entertainment. As a dedicated journalist, Somto delivers in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and breaking news coverage.
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