FG Moves To Develop Traditional Medicine To Reduce Cost Of Drugs

Federal Government says it is keying into the development of Traditional Medicine to make drugs affordable in the country.

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Adeleke Mamora who stated this in Lagos during his familiarization tour of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, emphasized that the essence of developing traditional medicine is to make available alternative, safe and affordable drugs to Nigerians.

The Minister, called on the Agency to be more committed towards achieving health for all through traditional and alternative medicine and as well, protect the intellectual property of the scientists to avoid piracy.

The Minister charged the Agency not to depend solely on government funding but to rather collaborate with other organizations and philanthropists as well as commercialize its products to boost the internally generated Revenue which is capable of sustaining its funding and self reliance.

Earlier in his speech, the Director-General of the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, Dr. Samuel Etatuvie, noted that Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency has produced standard, affordable and safe medicines used in treating hypertension, glaucoma among others adding that the discoveries have been sent to National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, for proper processing.