Federal Government has directed NAFDAC to assess herbal mixture as possible COVID-19 treatment

The federal government has directed the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) to carry out tests on plant-based cough mixtures, as possible treatment for Coronavirus.

In a memo titled ‘Formulation of a Phyto-Medicine-Based Cough Mixture/Syrup for the Management of COVID-19 Patients by Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Department of the Ministry’ and addressed to the director-general of NAFDAC Mojisola Adeyeye, the permanent secretary in the ministry of health, Mashi Abdullahi said the directive became necessary following a search for cure to Coronavirus.

The memo reads in full;

“As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic is currently ravaging the world with no definite treatment or vaccine.

“This has necessitated countries to look for solutions from within and Nigeria is no exception. It is worthy to note that Nigeria is blessed with medicinal plants which could be exploited.

“It is heartwarming to note that the Department of TCAM has taken the pains to research into scientific materials to come up with a formulation intended for the management of cough in COVID-19 and other cough-related infections.

“The formulation is a Cov-herbal cough mixture. Interestingly, all the ingredients that make up the formulations are medicinal plants that are widely used as food materials and medicines.

“They include Allium sativa (garlic); Allium cepa (onions); Zingiber officinale (ginger): Piper guineense (West African Black Pepper); and Adansonia digitata (baobab fruit). The innovation here is the composition of the formulation.

“These medicinal plants have documented scientific evidence of long use for the management of cough and other respiratory infections, with medicinal properties of mucoIytic, antitussive, expectorant, soothing, demulcent, anti-inflammatory and antiviral effects.

“The ministry is determined to walk the talk in the promotion and integration of herbal medicine into the health care delivery system.

“In view of the foregoing and the desire of the ministry to showcase to the public a product that is 100 per cent sourced locally, you are requested to carry out the necessary procedures for listing.

“The ministry will contract the packaging of the product to some identified pharmaceutical companies. Find attached scientific pieces of evidence of the products end labelling for your information end necessary action.”