By IJEOMA OLORUNFEMI

The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has announced the development of 27 natural medicines and health supplements within the last two years.

The agency?s Director-General, Prof. Martins Emeje, who disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said the feat was achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda (RHA) of President Bola Tinubu?s administration.

He spoke while reviewing the agency?s achievements under the current government.

He credited the milestone to targeted local research and development (R&D) efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria?s pressing healthcare needs and reducing reliance on imported pharmaceuticals.

?We have successfully developed 27 products. Five already have NAFDAC registration numbers, while 18 are undergoing regulatory assessment.

?Most of them have NAFDAC application numbers and are at the final stages of evaluation,? Emeje said.

He described the achievement as historic, saying that all the products were developed using 100 per cent indigenous resources, plants, soil, water, and animals?backed by scientific research and aimed at solving local health problems.

He listed the products to include remedies for sickle cell disease, diabetes, ulcers, diarrhea, immune support, anti-aging, and malaria prevention, among others

Emeje attributed the progress to the strengthened political will and policy support under the current administration, especially through the 2022 National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI).

According to him, the STI policy serves as a strategic framework guiding innovation and aligns closely with the eight pillars of the RHA.

He emphasised the importance of context-driven research, stating, ?Every problem is local, and so must every solution be. Africa?s health challenges can only be addressed through its natural resources.?

Emeje reaffirmed the agency?s commitment to driving natural medicine research and development, with a vision to position Nigeria as a continental leader in evidence-based traditional medicine innovation. (NAN)

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