Daily Trust (Abuja)
Ruby Rabiu
12 July 2009
Abuja — Traditional medicinal pro-ducts which are so far being neglected in favour of western drugs can serve as a source of internal revenue and rake in as much as N20 billion.
The Minister of State for Health, Dr Aliyu Idi Hong said traditional medicinal products if well researched could gradually take over the country's source of medication and also provide economic benefits for the country.
Dr Aliyu Hong who made this known when he paid a visit to the National Institute for Pharmaceuticals Research and Development (NIPRD) said countries like china and India had succeeded in using their traditional products as a source of revenue.
His words, 'we have large vegetation in this country, which could serve as a source of traditional medicines that could treat many ailments, if they are well researched they will provide huge revenue for the country'.
Hong while commending the management of the NIPRD for its past achievement called on them to be self sufficient and reliable and collaborate with other institutions to help improve the country's pharmaceuticals.
According to him the institute is the engine room for the assurance of quality drugs and human resource development.
Earlier, the Director General of NIPRD, Dr Uford Inyang said the institute would soon begin the second phase clinical studies of a drug capable of sustaining HIV patient
The drug is an immune booster known as NIPRD 1
Inyang said the institute had completed the pre-clinical and observational studies of the drug, an immune stimulant which if combined with Anti Retroviral drugs is capable of improving the quality of lives of HIV victims.
He added that the Institute would apply for the registration of the product after the completion of the 2nd phase.
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