The Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) plans to establish a pilot plant aimed at bridging the gap between laboratory-scale research and industrial-scale drug production.
The initiative is poised to revolutionise the nation’s drug development landscape by ensuring that laboratory breakthroughs can be effectively translated into market-ready products.
Speaking at a media parley held recently by the agency, the Director General, NNMDA, Prof Martins Emeje, explained the critical role of pilot plants in drug development. “This is essential to demonstrate that what we achieve in the lab can be scaled up efficiently and economically for mass production,” he said.
Emeje noted that the establishment of such a facility aligns with the agency’s mandate to enhance the research and development of natural medicines in Nigeria. He emphasised its importance in preclinical and clinical studies, highlighting that the plant would facilitate the production of drugs for clinical trials after securing regulatory approvals.
He said NNMDA has secured a four-year grant from the Canadian Institute for Health Research in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria, and the University of Waterloo to advance research and development in the natural medicine sector against antimicrobial resistance.
Reflecting on his experiences, Emeje explained how his observations of harmful practices in food production, such as the use of suboptimal doses of antibiotics in fish farming, inspired his dedication to addressing public health concerns such as antimicrobial resistance through research.
“When you consume suboptimal doses of antibiotics over time, it renders the prescribed dose ineffective for treatment,” he warned. He also shared insights on broader issues affecting public health, including the misuse of antibiotics in aquaculture, which leads to antibiotic resistance. He emphasised the importance of natural medicines in advocating for research-driven standardisation and integration of traditional medical practices into Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Emeje also emphasised the potential of natural medicines in combating drug resistance. “Natural products rarely lead to resistance because the organisms do not know which compound is killing them,” he stated, advocating for increased research and standardisation in traditional medicine practices.
He further announced plans to incorporate traditional medical practices into national skills acquisition programmes. “The use of herbs, water, and even animal parts in traditional medicine are the areas being addressed through training and development,” he said. The agency also intends to engage religious and traditional healers to ensure standardisation and safety in healing practices across various sectors.
