Agency formulates remedy for COVID-19 symptoms

Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has confirmed formulating a liquid herbal remedy for prevention and management of symptoms associated with Coronavirus infections using indigenous plants among other products.

The disclosure was made at a press briefing to unveil 14 new products by the agency, out of which six have been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and a modern laboratory.

At the unveiling yesterday, in Lagos, tagged: “Public Sensitisation on Natural Medicine Knowledge and Practices,” Director General/Chief Executive of NNMDA, Dr. Samuel Oghene Etatuvie, said: “We are pleased to inform all that the Agency has over 20 products that range from human to livestock products all made from natural products with little or no side effects. Among these products, we have six with NAFDAC listing and some are in the process.

“The Koviron Herbal Remedy is a liquid herbal formulation for the prevention and management of symptoms associated with Coronavirus infections derived from medical plants of Nigerian origin, which has shown in dictated activities both at laboratory level and from anecdotal research findings. It is soothing and highly tolerable. It is free from alcohol, sedatives and addictive drugs. Hence, it is completely safe for children.”

The products approved by NAFDAC are: Nnmda Ocimum herbal tea (NAFDAC NO: A7-4105L); Nnmda Amarus herbal tea (NAFDAC NO: A7-4061L); Koviron Herbal Remedy (NAFDAC NO: A7-5233-L); Herbal virginal wash (NAFDAC NO: A7-5234L) and Skin Renew herbal soap.

He explained that the new laboratory complex was influenced by clientele demand for laboratory research support and expansion of the organisation’s research project, which demanded a larger and state-of-the-art facility.

Etatuvie recalled: “The NNMDA laboratory complex project began in 2017 and through just five fiscal years, the project has been completed with full qualification in ISO17025-2017 capability. The complex is in the stage of being commissioned to carry out its critical function of conducting laboratory researches at the levels of product research, clientele support on product development and qualified laboratory services to support academic and scientific researches in general.”

The DG also announced the resuscitation of NNMDA College of Natural Medicine Technology Development and its first National Curriculum for National Innovation Diploma (NID) in Natural Medicine Technology (NMT).

His words: “The Agency has been working with the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Kaduna for accreditation as a National Innovation Diploma (NID) in Natural Medicine Technology (NMT)-awarding institution.
“We have developed the first national curriculum for National Innovation Diploma (NID) in Natural Medicine Technology (NMT) in Nigeria in collaboration with critical stakeholders, including the NANTMP, National Board for Technical Education, Kaduna and others.”

Etatuvie reiterated the establishment’s commitment to interacting with Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs), enhancing their practice and product development skills, reducing secrecy, eliciting collaborative traditional medicine knowledge research and development participation in Ethno medicinal surveys and documentation, as well as creating awareness in all areas of natural (traditional) medicine.