The Director-General of National Institute for Research and Development (NIPRD), Dr. Obi Adigwe, has called for the involvement of philanthropists, foundations, development partners and other private sector actors in the area of research and development of traditional medicines in Africa.
He made the call in a statement to mark the year 2020 African Traditional Medicine Day, in Abuja, Sunday.
He, however, decried the lack of investment, funding and prioritisation with respect to research and development pertaining to African traditional medicines despite the advancement in the area medicine.
Dr Adigwe therefore, reiterated the commitment of NIPRD to continue to foster what he described as “ground-breaking evidence based methodologies and policies that would enable Nigeria and indeed Africa fulfil the inherent health and socioeconomic potential associated with African Traditional Medicines.”
According to him, the choice of this year’s theme of the celebration: ‘Traditional Medicine: Research and Development’ was apt considering the hitherto neglected potential for health and socioeconomic development for the continent.
“For a while now, the NIPRD has pioneered science-led Research and Development aimed at mainstreaming African traditional medicines.
“NIPRD is the most resourced Institute of its kind with over 70 Masters and PhDs aggregated around various aspects of phytomedicines’ development value chain.
“The Institute also remains the first African Institute to develop a world class phytomedicine from drug discovery up to phase 2 clinical trials,” he said.
Dr Adigwe, however, argued that this illustrated the immense expertise and experience that existed at NIPRD with respect to research and development for African Traditional Medicines.
“During the current COVID-19 pandemic, NIPRD under Dr. Adigwe has galvanised this significant expertise into making a huge contribution to the national and global response, and a significant proportion of this contribution is focused on African traditional medicines.
“The Institute provided the internationally acclaimed analysis that underpinned government’s categorical position on the Madagascar COVID Organics preparation. This analysis went viral internationally, with scientists and policymakers around the world referencing NIPRD’s seminal work on the product.
“For the first time in the country’s history an interdisciplinary team of over 20 eminent and erudite Professors drawn from various universities and geopolitical regions were convened to form the National Scientific Advisory Committee (NSAC) on the verification of claims by Traditional medicines practitioners.
“This landmark achievement not only ensures that coronavirus cure claims are subjected to the highest international science, it also ensures that the highest relevant standards of safety and efficacy are maintained, in order to safeguard the lives of Nigerians,” the statement noted.
Explaining further the role of the Institute in the COVID-19 war, Dr. Adigwe said: “The Institute’s activities in phytomedicines and related product development has also been brought to bear in addressing the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“For instance, the Institute pioneered and strongly advocated indigenous manufacturing of hand sanitisers from locally sourced raw materials.
“Similarly Niprimune, its flagship immunomodulatory agent with very promising preclinical results is now receiving strong international funding attention for relevant clinical studies for COVID-19.
“NIPRD has also commenced its nationwide training and capacity building of traditional medicines practitioners.”
