FG Unveils Seven Locally Developed Herbal Medicines for Cancer, Hepatitis B, Hypertension

The Federal Government has unveiled seven herbal medicines developed from indigenous medicinal plants for the treatment and management of cancers, hepatitis B, hypertension, high cholesterol, peptic ulcer disease and other health conditions, in a move aimed at boosting local pharmaceutical innovation and reducing dependence on imported medicines.

The products were unveiled by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, during an official visit to the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency headquarters in Lagos.

The minister also met with pharmaceutical industry stakeholders to discuss strategies for the commercialisation of the products.

According to Udeh, Nigeria possesses vast medicinal plant resources that, if properly harnessed, can provide effective healthcare solutions while creating economic opportunities.

He said the Federal Government would address key challenges facing the agency, including inadequate funding, and facilitate the establishment of a Clinical Observational Research Centre to strengthen research and clinical validation of herbal medicines.

Udeh commended the agency for developing over 22 herbal products from indigenous medicinal plants since 2023, targeting diseases such as malaria, sickle cell disease, diabetes and erectile dysfunction.

He said the commercial production of natural medicines could generate billions of naira in revenue and position Nigeria as a major exporter of herbal pharmaceuticals.

“We are going to establish the Clinical Observational Research Centre without waiting for the 2027 budget by exploring alternative sources of funding,” the minister said.

The Director-General of the NNMDA, Martins Emeje, said advances in standardisation had improved the safety and dosage accuracy of herbal medicines, making them more acceptable in modern healthcare.

Emeje, who also serves as Co-Chair of the World Health Organization Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine, said the agency aims to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported medicines through locally developed alternatives.

Among the products unveiled is Namdavir, developed for the management of hepatitis B, and Namdacid, formulated for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease.

Others include Turmegol, which the agency said has shown potential in preventing the progression of colorectal, ovarian and prostate cancers; Namdorol, developed for managing high cholesterol and hypertension; Namgor, an aphrodisiac; and Zobo Tea, designed to support the management of hypertension.

Emeje disclosed that one of the newly launched products has the potential to create up to 3.5 million jobs across its value chain when fully commercialised.

He urged the Federal Government to deepen investment in research and clinical trials through the proposed Clinical Observational Research Centre.

Also speaking at the event, the Consul General of India in Lagos, Shri Kannan, said Nigeria and India have significant opportunities to collaborate in medicinal plant research, scientific validation of traditional medicine, quality assurance, biodiversity conservation, innovation and capacity building.

He noted that both countries possess rich biodiversity and centuries-old traditional healing systems that could contribute to modern healthcare and economic development through stronger bilateral cooperation.